tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, led bend into straight, ridden and not fluent last, pushed out
prominent, led 3rd, joined 2 out, ridden and headed bend into straight, kept on one pace
close up, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
led, headed 3rd, tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
jumped right at times, keen tracked leaders, went 2nd at 3rd, ridden when jumped right 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway when hit and fell 3 out
in rear, pushed along 4 out, tailed off when pulled up next
MCGROARTY has won five times over fences since last seen over hurdles. He’s been pulled up the last twice but this is a huge drop in class and he should have too much for his rivals if retaining a fraction of his ability. Ballyellis has a lengthy absence to overcome but this is his level and he is probably the danger ahead of Chieftain's Choice and Ferrobin, who has gone backwards again since winning a Market Rasen seller.
Ballyellis (IRE) 4-9fav (11-10) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, headway under pressure into 3rd next, no impression, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Baracalu (11-5) at Leicester 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Mcgroarty (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leader, not fluent 4th, hit 7th, ridden and lost place 8th, detached 4 out, tailed off 2 out, pulled up before last, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
The Raven's Return 25-1 (11-10) Towards rear, headway 2 out, ridden before last, never threatened, 6th of 13, 35 1/2l behind Gold Runner (10-7) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear, driven along and no impression in 6th after 2 out, weakened, 7th of 13, 32 1/2l behind Carys' Commodity (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Dream Du Grand Val (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, ridden and lost touch 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before next, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Ferrobin (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Close up, dropped to rear, 4th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, 4th of 5, 21 1/4l behind Fairway Freddy (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Lady Vera (IRE) 250-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden and lost place after 3 out, towards rear 2 out, no extra, 10th of 11, dist behind Triple Nickle (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Mar.