tracked leader, chased leader in 2nd after the 9th, not fluent 12th, cruised to the lead 4 out, led going easy 3 out and not extended closing stages, easy
towards rear, mistake 10th, not fluent 13th, mistake 14th, ridden and struggling 4 out, never involved
led, headed 4 out, ridden when chased leader 3 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on for remote 2nd
towards rear, not fluent 7th, detached 4 out, well held when not fluent 2 out
tracked leader, niggled along 13th, quickly lost ground and tailed off after 4 out, pulled up 2 out
BALLYMOY, rated 141 over hurdles and a six-times winner including a Grade 3, has been placed in all five starts over fences but has undoubtedly been disappointing. However, his latest close third in a novices' handicap at Newbury would be far too good for these rivals. Loveyoutothemoon, a three-times winner between the flags, was beaten a long way in a Plumpton novices' hurdle in January while another winning point-to-pointer, Canada Kid, finished a long way last on his debut over regulation fences at Wetherby last month. Matthew Man completed a double between the flags early last year but was a 200/1 chance when beaten a distance at Musselburgh last month while Strategic makes his chasing debut but at least ran reasonably well over timber at Musselburgh in November.
Ballymoy (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, nudged in 4th after 14th, went 3rd jumping 2 out, soon ridden, kept on strongly late on, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Enrilo (11-5) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Canada Kid 300-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, not fluent and struggling 10th, behind 13th, last of 5, dist behind Chantry House (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Matthew Man 200-1 (10-12) In rear, soon behind, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Gaelik Coast (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (3) sft in Feb.
Strategic (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Midfield, towards rear 9th, headway into midfield 3 out, ridden behind leaders 2 out, kept on one pace from last, 4th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Pakie's Dream (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Loveyoutothemoon 100-1 (10-9) Led until before 3 out, losing place when awkward 3 out, ridden and weakened soon after, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Here Comes Johny (12-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
