always prominent, led over 3f out, hard driven over 1f out, ran on strongly
chased leaders, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, lost place over 3f out
led, driven when headed over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on closing stages
in tiuch, pulled hard early, weakened over 3f out
behind, headway over 3f out, chased winner well over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up in rear but in touch, headway to chase leaders over 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never a threat
Ballyandy narrowly failed to complete the hat-trick in a similar race at Ascot in December and holds Full Irish on that run. He won’t go down without a fight but there have been glowing reports concerning BLEU BERRY. He has his first run for Willie Mullins following more than a year on the sidelines but has been reportedly burning up the gallops. Gayebury has been first past the post in both starts so is clearly no mug while Lithic made a winning start at Southwell and has plenty of scope. Positively Dylan beat a subsequent winner on his debut under Rules and is also worth a second look while this step up in trip will suit Cheltenham fourth One Of Us.
Ballyandy 7-2 (11-8) Prominent in chasing group, went 2nd 12f out, closed 7f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Coeur Blimey (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Bleu Berry (FR) (10-1) 2nd of 7, shd behind Baby Lone Glory (9-12) at Nantes 1m 4f stks sft in Oct.
Full Irish (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In touch in chasing group, 3rd and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Coeur Blimey (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Gayebury 2-1jfav (11-5) Made all, pressed over 2f out, kept on well, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (6) hvy in Jan beating Bacchanel (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Lithic (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, led 3f out, clear 1f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m (6) sft in Dec beating Tommy Rapper (11-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
Positively Dylan 10-3 (11-0) Held up behind, steady headway over 3f out, poised to challenge over 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Dec beating Pride Of Lecale (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
One Of Us 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, finished well, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Capeland (10-12) at Cheltenham 1m 6f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
