led, headed and stayed handy after 1st, not fluent and reminder 5th, lost place after 6th, plugged on one pace
tracked front pair, went clear with leader before 4 out, pushed along 3 out, outpaced by winner approaching 2 out, kept on, well held
in touch, went 3rd after 6th, pushed along after 4 out and no response, soon beaten
prominent, led after 1st, hit 6th, went clear with runner-up before 4 out, shaken up and quickened clear 2 out, ran on well, comfortably
in rear, not fluent 7th and tailed off, never involved
NonRunner
West Balboa’s defection has made LOVE ENVOI’s task much more straightforward. Harry Fry’s smart mare has only been beaten once so far over hurdles and that was when she was second in a Grade 1 at Punchestown last season. Theatre Glory, a past winner here, is 4-7 over timber and might be the one to chase her home even though Molly Ollys Wishes is still capable on her day and effective from 2m to 3m. Indefatigable is also a Grade 2 winner but she’s been well below par so far this term and is the senior runner in this. Skyace is preferred to Malakahna of the others.
Indefatigable (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching final flight (usual 2 out), little response, detached on run in, last of 8, dist behind Captain Morgs (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Molly Ollys Wishes 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 6th, mistake 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 23 1/2l behind Gold Tweet (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Malakahna (FR) 40-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 20 1/2l behind Hacker Des Places (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Theatre Glory (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along out wide before 2 out, plugged on in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Grey Dawning (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Skyace (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) In rear, jumped right 3rd, ridden before 2 out, no extra run in, last of 3, 12 3/4l behind Kissesforkatie (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f (3) sft in Nov.
Love Envoi (IRE) 3-10fav (11-7) Wore hood to post, raced keenly, held up in 4th, good headway tracking leader 4th, led and still keen after 3 out, four lengths ahead 2 out, went further clear between last two, impressive, won at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan beating Martello Sky (11-8) by 13l, 5 ran.
West Balboa (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Waited with towards rear, smooth headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching and hit last, sustained battle with 2nd run-in, kept on gamely, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Red Risk (11-9) by shd, 20 ran.
