held up, headway on inside 7th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, lost 3rd towards finish
prominent, pushed along after 5th, not fluent 9th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, not fluent 9th, clear when jumped left 4 out, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner last
held up, struggling from 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well
led into start, held up, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 7th, modest 4th 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
NonRunner
Templehills, Ballinvarrig and Pressurize all have an absence to overcome. The latter pair are in the veteran stage now and so is Grey Gold, who failed to complete at Wetherby on Boxing Day having only won a claimer at Ffos Las before that. Rock On Rocky has only found one too good the last twice and was only beaten a short-head at Ascot but is 7lb higher now and also engaged at Sandown. PLAY THE ACE’s winning run has to end sometime but it may not be today as his rider’s claim negates a 5lb rise for completing a four-timer at Aintree and he’s in the form of his life. Kayf Adventure is still a novice and he has plenty to learn about jumping fences judged on his last two runs.
Grey Gold (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 8th, hesitated approaching 12th and unseated rider, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Play The Ace (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led until 1st, led 2nd, not fluent and headed 5th, led before 8th, headed before last, led again flat, headed towards finish, gamely regained lead post, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Katachenko (11-9) by ns, 7 ran.
Templehills (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hampered and lost place 9th, soon towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Ballinvarrig (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Tracked leader, led 8th, headed 10th, led 4 out, driven and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Global Dream (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Pressurize (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear but in touch, pushed along halfway, detached 11th, soon tailed off, pulled up 13th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Rock On Rocky 10-1 (10-5) Led in start and well away, prominent, 2nd approaching 5th, led 7th, dived at 9th, joined 2 out, narrowly headed before last, led again run-in, soon ridden, headed post, 2nd of 11, shd behind Mr Medic (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Kayf Adventure 7-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place 5th, closed next, not fluent 8th, 3rd and no extra 2 out, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Perfect Pirate (11-1) at Towcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
