led until before 3rd, led again after 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, ridden out
held up in rear, well behind 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, 3rd and no extra approaching last
held up in mid-division, hanging left and struggling from 3rd, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
held up in mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent and went 2nd 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on flat, always behind held by winner
held up in rear, well behind 3 out, tailed off
with leader, led before 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, weakened before next
chased leaders, wide in back straight, weakened 2 out
GALA BALL is penalised for last month's victory over course and distance. But he beat a more strongly-fancied stablemate with plenty to spare and there should be more to come from Philip Hobbs' charge. Fountains Windfall ran well on his hurdling bow at Taunton and could go well but it's harder to assess Black Corton's second at Auteuil in September as he makes his debut for Paul Nicholls. Shadow Blue has plenty to find with the selection while Valhalla is preferred to stable companion and newcomer Final Flow.
Gala Ball (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, mistake 3 out, led before next, not fluent last, ran on well (1 hurdle omitted), won at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Jan beating Casper King (11-4) by 12l, 13 ran.
Bennys King (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Hellofafaithful.
Black Corton (FR) 8-1 (10-7) 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Bipolaire (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Sep.
Final Flow With The Flow gelding out of The Final One.
Fountains Windfall 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, not much room 5th, headway from next, went 2nd after 3 out, pecked slightly 2 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Monkey Rum 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no threat to leading pair, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Time Is Money (10-9) at Wincanton 2m (6) gf in May.
Shadow Blue (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Led until after 3 out, soon rallied, weakened last, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Gala Ball (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
Valhalla (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 6th, headway before next, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened soon after next, 8th of 13, 19 1/4l behind Western Cape (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) sft in Dec.
Dinky Challenger 150-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
