mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened
in rear, ridden 3 out, no impression
disputed lead, ridden to assert 2 out, stayed on well
disputed lead, ridden over 2 out, every chance, lost second run in
always in rear, tailed off
chased leaders, headway 3 out, challanged run in, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden over 3 out, kept on, never threatened
mid-division, ridden over 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden and outpaced by leaders 3 out, kept on, mistake last
held up in rear, pushed along over 4 out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden over 3 out, weakened
prominent, pushed along and weakened with a circuit to go, tailed off
Audacity ran in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March and that race always throws up plenty of novice hurdles winners. Valleres also had decent bumper form last season but FIFTY BALL, a French import, has a run under hurdles under his belt and he wasn’t given a hard time here three weeks ago. He was well backed that day and offered the promise of better to come. Beyond The Pale won a bumper in the summer, at Southwell, and his yard continues in fine form and there should be more to come from Smarter. Getalead was just beaten at Perth on his reappearance but was behind Audacity at Cheltenham last season.
Audacity 100-1 (10-11) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, lost place over 6f out, soon behind, 19th of 23, dist behind Ferny Hollow (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Bannixtown Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 8l behind Jetaway Joey (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Beyond The Pale (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Wide and forward early stages soon led, shaken up after 2f out, kept going and never headed final furlong, won at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gd in Aug beating Le Boulevardier (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Blame The Game (IRE) 8-1 (12-2) Rr of mid-div, prog to 3rd 1/2way, jnd ldr at 10th, wo brfly aftr 3out, drpd to 4th by 2out, ko onepce, 4th of 11, 11 1/2l behind The Bees Knees (11-11) at Ballycrystal 3m mdn gd in Jan.
Counteract 100-1 (11-2) In rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Up The Straight (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gs in Mar.
Fifty Ball (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 6th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Bashful Boy (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Friary Land 100-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, no impression after 4 out and no extra early straight, 8th of 14, dist behind Escaria Ten (11-12) at Cork 3m mdn sft in Jan.
Getalead (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pulled clear with winner 3f out, outpaced before staying on again final 150 yards, just missed out, 2nd of 8, hd behind Restandbethankful (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Kala Noire (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Keen, chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Hunny Moon (10-11) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Lakeside Lad 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, never on terms, tailed off when hampered by loose horses after 3 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Celestial Force (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Smarter (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Towards rear, bit closer in mid-division after 5th, left in modest 5th and hampered 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, dist behind Celestial Force (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Follow The Paint (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Jumped left, chased leaders, 2nd briefly 7th, lost place before 10th, well beaten from normal 4 out, 6th of 8, 33 1/4l behind Burning Issues (10-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Valleres (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, closed from 6f out, went 3rd inside final 2f, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 9 1/4l behind Boothill (11-2) at Kempton 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Sei Bella 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
