held up in rear, headway from 4 out, ridden to chase leader approaching last, led by omitted last fence, ridden out
jumped slow 1st and 2nd, held up, lost touch from 8th, behind, pulled up 4 out
mid-division when unseated rider 6th
close up, chased leader 6th until 4 out, soon weakened, hampered by loose horse soon after 3 out and 2 out
chased leader until jumped slow 5th, ridden 4 out, behind when carried out 2 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
led, hit 4 out, ridden next, joined last, headed by omitted last fence, kept on one pace
held up, lost place from 8th, behind when unseated rider last
held up, headway from 5th, chased leader after 3 out until approaching last, soon weakened
in touch, chasing leader when fell 3 out
Not many can be fancied here, and Ballyaahbutt can make the most of the weight that he receives from Bronson F'sure and Aqua Pura. Aqua Pura is likely to be well fancied here on the strength of an encouraging effort at Folkestone last time when he overcame being caught in the tapes at the start to eventually finish second to Lyrical Lily. That was over a bit further than today's trip, and he will no doubt go close. However, the burden of 11st 12lb may be too much for him to hold off the challenge of the lightly-weighted Ballyaahbutt, who can benefit further from the fact that Sam Jones can claim a useful 5lb. Brendan Powell's eight-year-old has been knocking at the door since the start of the year, and off what is an attractive mark still, must take all the beating. Bronson F'sure, a dual winner between the flags in the past, has improved with each run under rules, and his latest second at Southwell revealed that there is a race to be had. Maybe not today though, with Ballyaahbutt much preferred.
Surfboard (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden and kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Commercial Express (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m ldy hcp hdl (5) gs.
Aqua Pura (GER) 9-2 (11-4) Held up rear, not fluent 6th, steady headway from 7th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, faded flat, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Lyrical Lily (9-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Ede's 50-1 (9-7) Chased leaders until 4 out, one pace after, 5th of 10, 7l behind Nimby Run (9-10) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Bronson F'sure 33-1 (10-13) With leaders, led approaching 13th, headed 3 out, mistake next, one pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Casalani (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Bronze King 100-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression, 9th of 19, 46l behind Thenford Star (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Mr Micky (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Held up, headway on wide outside to go 2nd, not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 8, 9l behind Glen Thyne (11-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Ballyaahbutt (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Prominent, led 7th, ridden 3 out, headed soon after last, kept on, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Iris's Prince (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
John Jorrocks (FR) 66-1 (10-0) In rear and jumped left 1st, never a danger, 10th of 17, well behind Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Mountsorrel (IRE) 150-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden 5 out, weakening when pulled up 3 out in race won by Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Star Galaxy (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden from 5th, stayed on from 4 out, took 4th 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 15l behind All Sonsilver (10-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
