pressed winner to after 9th, behind and struggling after next, lost touch when blundered 11th, pulled up before next
made virtually all, not fluent 5 out, drew clear before 2 out, pushed out, readliy
tracked leaders, hit 4th, outpaced by front pair 3 out, well held in 3rd after
in touch in rear, tracked leaders after 10th, outpaced by leading trio before 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off
tracked front pair, went 2nd after 9th, virtually upsides 11th, effort when hit 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with winner before next
A cracking renewal of a contest won by the top-class Native River in 2015. His trainer, Colin Tizzard, runs Elegant Escape but the five-year-old will need to improve for the switch to fences to trouble a couple of these if all put in a clear round. Though not always foot-perfect, BALLYOPTIC was the best of these over the smaller obstacles and may just have needed the run when fifth under a big weight at Newton Abbot last month. He should make into a decent novice, though it is surely only a matter of time before Barney Dwan enjoys a change of luck. He is tough and was cantering all over useful rivals when brought down at Wincanton last year when last seen over fences. De Dollar Man could also be a nice prospect but Packettotherafters looks to be out of his depth.
Packettotherafters (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, close up 5th, tracked leaders 9th, went 2nd after 5 out, ridden to lead after next, hard pressed between last 2, kept on, headed narrowly towards finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Irish Octave (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed before not fluent 2 out, beaten after, lost 4th flat, 5th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Beer Goggles (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Barney Dwan (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along and headway before 3 out, no impression, 7th of 22, 22 3/4l behind Fountains Windfall (10-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
De Dollar Man (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked winner to 3 out, soon outpaced and behind, 9th of 15, 20 3/4l behind Willoughby Court (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Slight lead after 2nd and set steady pace, headed 4th, chased leader, led again 12th, headed last, not pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Mia's Storm (10-7) at Chepstow 3m (3) gd in Oct.
