prominent, headway and challenged 7th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed approaching last, switched right and rallied flat, no extra
mid-division, ridden 6th, one pace from 3 out
chased leader, weakened 7th, blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leader 2 out, led approaching last, blundered last, wandered flat, driven out
led to after 6th, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, hit 4th, headway 5th, led after 6th, ridden and headed 3 out, eased when beaten
pulled hard and held up in rear, no impression
towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
prominent, ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
Withdrawn
This is a dire contest, but something has to win, and the pin comes down on Fire Ranger ahead of the likes of Amnesty and Ballybeg Glen. No wonder this lot are running in a seller, as they have collectively shown nothing at all on the track. However, Fire Ranger has been runner-up on a number of occasions, and for that reason alone is selected to beat his younger rivals despite having been off the track for a while. Tony McCoy has been booked for Ballybeg Glen, a beaten favourite at Leicester in January. He is well down the pecking order in Evan Williams' yard, but did manage to win an Irish bumper three years ago! Amnesty was ridden by the champion when falling in a better race than this at Uttoxeter in July, and has since had a spin on the level. The trainer's son takes over today, and any support should be heeded. Make this race one of your smallest bets of the day, with Fire Ranger the pick.
Amnesty 9-2fav (11-3) Held up, headway and chasing leaders when fell 2 out in race won by Morning Roses (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jul, 13 ran.
Ballybeg Glen (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) In touch, mistakes 3rd, jumped left 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, well behind Viscount Rossini (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 9-2co-fav (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 8th, weakened after 3 out, left 3rd and hampered 2 out, 3rd of 12, 30l behind Ask The Umpire (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs in Apr '05.
Cornish Orchid (IRE) 10-3 (10-8) Chased leader and raced wide, led 5th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 20l behind Dunkerron (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jun.
Hollywood 50-1 (10-7) (cp) a bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Fantastic Champion (11-0) at Ystradowen 3m ptp gf in Apr, 4 ran.
Rash Oak (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Keen in mid-division, ridden and weakened 7th, 7th of 8, well behind Seymour Weld (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Mucho Loco (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In rear, struggling 5th, soon tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Woolly Bully (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 8 ran.
Duggary Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Towards rear until saddle slipped and pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Hard To Handle (11-1) at Wexford 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl gs in Jul, 16 ran.
Galandora 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, blundered 7th, headway 9th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Or Sing About (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun, 13 ran.
Inching West 12-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 16l behind Can Can Flyer (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Fire Ranger 15-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 46l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
