held up in 5th place, pushed along and outpaced in last pair as runners came into view before 2 out, 5th and well held in 5th jumping the last
tracked winner, pushed along disputing 2 lengths 2nd as runners came into view before 2 out, well behind in 8th jumping the last
held up in 6th place, headway into 4th as runners came into view before 2 out, driven in 2nd after jumping the last, 2nd and held in closing stages
held up in 7th place, pushed along and struggling in rear as runners came into view before 2 out, beaten in 6th jumping the last
held up in rear, headway on inside before 2 out, driven in 3rd and held as runners came into view in closing stages
tracked leading pair, pushed along disputing 2nd as runners came into view before 2 out, hit last, well beaten in 4th in closing stages
made all, 2 lengths ahead as runners came into view before 2 out, clear jumping the last, ridden out run-in, (limited comments due to poor visibility)
tracked leading trio, pushed along and struggling in 6th as runners came into view before 2 out, well beaten in 7th jumping the last
NonRunner
The Nicky Henderson legions are out in force today with two representing the Lambourn handler in this opener. Ballinure didn’t appreciate dropping back to 2m last time at Cheltenham and looks a better bet than the frustrating Minstrel Royal. Red Infantry is in good form and was placed twice over this trip in the spring while Desert Sensation is also a stout stayer. Trans Express, who carries a penalty for his win at Exeter on Thursday, will have his stamina to prove however. WALT was rallying behind Templeross at Ffos Las last month. Though the winner has disappointed since, Neil Mulholland’s five-year-old has a progressive profile and looks worth an interest on his handicap debut. Wylde Magic may also be improving but steps up again in trip today.
Red Infantry (IRE) 6-1jfav (10-2) In touch, chased leaders halfway, effort when hit 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, no extra closing stages, 4th of 16, 5 3/4l behind Clondaw Cian (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Butney Island (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place from 10th, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Tanit River (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Ballinure (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear, struggling 4 out, some headway into mid-division when hampered last, never near leaders, 11th of 18, 20 1/4l behind Wildmoor Boy (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Minstrel Royal 14-1 (11-7) Held up, towards rear, headway from 5th, chasing leaders when hit 3 out, led before next, strongly challenged from last, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Miss Estela (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Walt (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Keen, close up, ridden to chase winner 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Templeross (11-5) at Ffos Las 3m (4) sft in Nov.
Wylde Magic (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden when joined last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Geordie Des Champs (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Desert Sensation (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Held up mid-division, outpaced before 5 out, headway 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead close home, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating What A Diva (10-13) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Cashanova (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out and soon hampered, ridden before last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 7 1/4l behind Bohernagore (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Trans Express (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Took keen hold, went 2nd on long run before 4th, led approaching and jumped left 3 out, urged along and in command last, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Rocklander (11-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
