led, ridden and headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden next, weakened flat and lost 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd, ridden and every chance 2 out, no impression flat
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and ran on
close up in rear, progress 14th soon tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced when left 4th 3 out, rallied flat to go 3rd towards finish
keen raced wide close up, tracked leaders 11th, not fluent and lost place 14th, rallied 4 out, 2 lengths down in 3rd when landed awkwardly and unseated rider 3 out
Ballasalla has been threatening to win for some time and has been narrowly beaten in his last three starts, all over shorter. He's been headed close home in his last two so stepping up in trip isn't certain to help though his overall form should see him difficult to catch. However, LOUGH SALT, a dual hurdles winner, has no problems staying the trip and Paddy Brennan is likely to make this a test of stamina so he gets the vote. Caraline likes it around here and has an excellent strike-rate over fences so she isn't easily dismissed despite poor recent form while Oak Vintage has a very similar history over fences though appears best over shorter. Captain Mowbray won a handicap over 3m here in 2017 but is still looking on a high enough mark.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) With winner until 4 out, weakened before 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Ascot De Bruyere (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Lough Salt (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up well in rear, jumped slowly 4th, steady headway tracking leaders 4 out, good jump to go 2nd at the last, stayed on, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Minella For Me (11-10) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Caraline (FR) 7-1 (11-2) With leader, left in lead 5th, headed 7th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Song Saa (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Captain Mowbray 12-1 (11-6) In rear, ridden after 5 out, never involved, 7th of 9, 31 1/2l behind Blakerigg (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Ballasalla (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led before and mistake last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Wishfull Dreaming (10-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
