chased leaders, ridden 3f out, no extra final furlong
prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, rallied again to lead near line
always towards rear, never on terms
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out
always behind, tailed off final 5f
led, headed over 3f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 4f out, soon well behind
mid-division, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed and no extra close home
mid-division and keen, ridden over 4f out, not troubled leaders
mid-division, saddle slipped after 2f, soon pulled up
held up, ridden over 4f out, kept on well final 2f
in touch until ridden and weakened quickly over 4f out
held up, ridden 4f out, stayed on strongly final 2f, never nearer
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f
mid-division, close up over 4f out, no extra final 2f
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, no impression final 2f
Not a bad bumper for the track and one that can be taken by COUNTY COLOURS, while Benny Be Good and Dear Sam are among others noted. The selection was bought by Andrea and Graham Wylie after running well to be third in a decent Punchestown bumper in October, and has his first run in Britain today. Howard Johnson has, of course, taken over the reins and will have this four-year-old tuned up for an even better effort today. He won't mind the ground, nor the hustle and bustle, and he could have a nice future ahead of him. Dear Sam was the winner of a Sligo bumper on heavy ground in May, and had joined Steve Gollings before being beaten under a penalty at Market Rasen last month. He will again be up against it with the extra weight to shoulder today. Benny Be Good was impressive in taking a poor Sedgefield contest three weeks ago when the ground was described as good. He has to prove himself on soft ground and this won't be as easy under an extra 7lbs. Ballaline looks the most interesting debutant, having increased in price to 40,000 pounds as a three-year-old, and he could make a very nice chaser in time. It would be no surprise to see him go well at the first time of asking, while Ellerslie Paul is also related to a fairly useful 10f flat winner who also scored over hurdles, so watch the market for clues there. Gilbarry looked well held under a penalty last time, having scored on debut at Kelso, and we will suggest County Colours.
Benny Be Good 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway over 5f out to track leaders, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov beating Zero Six Zoo (11-2) by 16l, 11 ran.
Dear Sam (GER) 7-4fav (11-9) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Pyracantha (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Gilbarry (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders and raced keenly, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 7th of 10, 48l behind Carters Rest (10-11) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.
Ballaline (IRE) Karinga Bay gelding out of Line Sigune.
Blaqjack (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, well behind General Miller (11-6) at Perth 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.
Chief Bucaneer (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Prominent, one pace from over 2f out, 4th of 16, 17l behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Cloud Buster 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place over 4f out, last of 9, 48l behind Peddlers Cross (11-0) at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) sft in Nov.
County Colours (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inner, ridden in 4th entering straight, kept on without threatening to go 3rd from 1f out, 3rd of 25, 4l behind Caduceus (12-0) at Punchestown 2m N H flat in Oct.
Ellerslie Paul (IRE) Singspiel gelding out of Mistle Song.
Flora's Falcon 66-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 12th of 16, well behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Mannered Alflora gelding out of Manettia.
Rachmaninov Fasliyev horse out of Royal York.
Sambelucky (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Behind, headway 3f out, ridden and kept on final 2f, never nearer, 6th of 17, 12l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5f out, effort and every chance over 2f out, ridden and one paced final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Pyracantha (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Morello Mist Cloudings filly out of Cherry Dee.
Northern Aura Weldnaas mare out of Distinctly Laura.
