held up in rear but in touch, headway to lead narrowly before 10th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, no impression when hit last
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader soon after 3 out, led soon after 2 out, stayed on strongly, run-in
in touch, headway 9th, slightly outpaced approaching 3 out, headway and every chance 2 out, one pace before last
ran in snatches, in touch, mistake 4th, led 7th, narrowly headed before 10th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened and hung left after next
keen hold, led after 1st to 7th, weakened after 9th, tailed off
in touch to 7th, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
chased leader to 7th, ridden and weakened before next, soon tailed off
Ballyjohnboy Lord can complete a hat-trick at the expense of Alfasonic and Before Dark in this long-distance event that open proceedings at the Sussex track. Ballyjohnboy Lord has flitted between Michael Scudamore and Irish trainer Dusty Sheehy during his career, and it was for the latter that he opened his account over two miles at Clonmel in October. Back with Scudamore by the time he lined up at Wetherby three weeks ago, he showed abundant stamina to score over the extra half-mile, and now faces a further test of his endurance over today's 27 furlong trip. He will no doubt be popped over fences before too long, but before then can continue to pay his way over timber and we reckon that he can defy a penalty. Alfasonic is another chaser in the making, and judged on his Towcester success he really needs that type of track to be seen to best effect. Heather Dalton worked wonders with Before Dark to have him ready to successfully defy a 677-day absence at Hereford three weeks ago, but whether there is more to come is open to question. Timmy Murphy is an eye-catching booking for Charango Star, but the one to beat is Ballyjohnboy Lord.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 7-2 (11-13) Led, headed 5th, led again 3 out, headed 2 out, led run-in, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft beating Livingonaknifedge (11-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Alfasonic 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway to join leaders 3 out, soon led, hit last, kept on well, won at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft beating Gritti Palace (10-13) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Before Dark (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft beating Seeador (10-12) by 4l, 16 ran.
Charango Star 15-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 3rd after 14th, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Mon Mome (12-1) at Fontwell 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft.
Deltic Arrow 100-1 (11-4) Behind from 5th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind The Listener (11-10) at Windsor 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Germany Park (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) 6th of 10, well behind Rip Kirby (12-0) at Marks Tey 3m ptp gd in Apr '04.
Jollyshau (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In rear pulled up at the 11th in race won by Regal Vision (10-2) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Dec, 15 ran.
