close up, went 2nd 10th, challenged and led soon after 2 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on strongly flat
behind, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
hard ridden from 4 out, 5th and well beaten when fell last
always behind, tailed off from 4 out
in touch until ridden and behind from 10th, tailed off
led, soon clear, not fluent (water), challenged from 3 out, blundered badly 2 out, soon headed, not recover
in rear, tailed off when blundered 3 out, fell next
prominent until lost place 8th, tailed off when blundered and fell 2 out
behind, hard driven and kept on under pressure from 3 out, never dangerous
chased leader, hard ridden 2 out, pecked last, kept on same pace flat
in touch, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
behind when blundered and fell 6th
Halexy has clearly been difficult to keep sound but defied an 18-month absence when a comfortable winner at Chepstow last month. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding put in an impressive round of jumping and there should be further improvement to come but a 13lb rise may prevent a follow up against useful opposition. No Forecast is another who returns from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and is 10lb higher than last term's Newbury success while Irish raider Tenshookmen also appears to have plenty of weight. The TEAMtalk vote goes to Un Jour A Vassy who has slipped down to a winning mark and will be sharper for an encouraging return when runner-up here last month.
