raced keenly, slightly hampered 1st, held up in rear, good headway chasing leaders 9th, led 12th, hit next, ridden and headed 2 out, well held when lost 2 places towards finish
never fluent, mid-division, blundered 6th, not fluent next, hit 10th, pushed along before next, ridden towards rear and struggling when fell 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 9th, lost place and towards rear after 10th, no chance after
chased leaders, went 2nd 15th, led 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, easily
chased leader until approaching 12th, chased leaders, kept on same pace, outpaced 2 out, plugged on into 3rd, post
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced approaching 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
raced keenly, led, hit 3rd, headed 12th, lost 2nd 15th, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 11th, kept on run-in, never nearer
jumped left, behind, headway kept on run in, never nearer
keen in mid-division, hit 4th, headway on outside approaching 11th, weakened before 15th
Barry Geraghty has never won on FORTHEFUNOFIT (NAP) but travels over specifically to ride the recent Stratford hurdles winner. Jonjo O'Neill's charge is 5lb lower over fences and must have every chance of completing a double. Ange Des Malberaux has won three of his last four, two of them over fences, and has only gone up 3lb for scoring at Perth. Sharp Response, a winner at Catterick in February, was beaten a long way on his recent return to action and may need another run. Mahler Lad ran a shocker when last seen at Hexham in June but his earlier victory at Towcester would put him in the picture while Ballymalin has the form to win this at his best though became a bit erratic last season.
Lord Ballim (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway chasing leaders 8th, pushed along before 2 out, plugged on same pace between last 2, lost 4th close home, 5th of 8, 7 1/2l behind King's Song (11-1) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Forthefunofit (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort between last 2, led narrowly approaching last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, just held on, all out, won at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating The Drone (10-10) by shd, 7 ran.
Ballymalin (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, under pressure 2 out, weakening when hampered last, 8th of 12, 16l behind Chic Name (11-10) at Perth 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Sharp Response (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-12) In touch, progress into 3rd halfway, mistake 7th, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, modest 4th, 4th of 5, 28l behind Rivabodiva (11-0) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Carrigdhoun (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, lost place 4 out, outpaced from next, 6th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Looksnowtlikebrian (11-2) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Mahler Lad (IRE) 4-1fav (12-0) Led to after 2nd, tracked leader, led again 4th, made most to before 4 out, soon lost place and behind, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Scotswell 8-1 (12-0) Led until after 3rd, led 8th, not fluent 9th, headed 13th, ridden next, weakened after 15th, mistake 4 out, 5th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Cobajayisland (11-10) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ange Des Malberaux (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, bumped 1st, not fluent next, headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out until before 2 out, not fluent last, rallied flat, led close home, won at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Lady London (10-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Amilliontimes (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up, not much room 9th, headway on outside 12th, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Belmount (12-0) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Total Assets 66-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, mistake lost place and reminders 7th, never on terms after, 10th of 15, dist behind Rolling Maul (10-13) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Classical Milano (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along 14th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
