held up, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out, pulled up before last
led 1st, headed briefly 6th, and again 2 out, ridden approaching last and driven clear run-in
held up, always towards rear, lost touch 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, led until 1st, challenged briefly 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before next
always towards rear, lost touch from 9th
always towards rear, lost touch 4 out and pulled up before last
held up, tracked leaders, effort 3rd, soon weakened and lost touch 4 out and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, effort 4 out, headway and every chance next, soon led briefly, one pace from approaching last
held up, mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before next
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace, no impression
The handicapper did not miss Ballynure's wide margin Ayr win last time and so we will plump for stablemate Reckless Venture here. Despite top weight in the race, Reckless Venture could still be well handicapped and was travelling very well when tipping up at Newcastle last time in similar conditions. With a clear round here and from this mark he can prevail. Ballynure has a claimer booked and that will of course help to offset his 9lb rise, but the race that day was not strong and he will find this tougher. Lago has conditions and trip to suit but still looks a bit high in the weights and is hard to win with, though first-time blinkers might draw a better effort. Tipp Topp and Toy Gun both have bits of ability but look weighted up to their best and beyond, and Reckless Venture is the one for us.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Held up, in touch when fell at the 10th in race won by Deuteronomy (9-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Ballynure (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led 11th, drew clear from next, unchallenged, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar beating Cash Bonanza (11-5) by 24l, 13 ran.
Oliverjohn (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Behind when blundered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Barney (9-9) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs, 11 ran.
Woodview (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Close up when fell in race won by Deuteronomy (9-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Hardybuck (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lady Sambury (9-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy, 16 ran.
Lago 16-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered 5th, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, well behind Supreme Builder (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Westmorland (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, struggling from halfway, 8th of 17, 22l behind Lazy Lena (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Norminster 11-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Barney (9-9) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Toy Gun (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Behind, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Reckless Venture (10-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 12 ran.
The Miner 20-1 (9-11) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, 4th of 11, 19l behind Barney (9-9) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Tipp Top (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, challenged 4 out, led approaching 3 out, headed last, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Wednesday Country (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf.
Athollbrose (USA) 200-1 (10-12) Prominent until ridden and gradually weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 38l behind Or de Grugy (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (4) sft.
Kalic d'Alm (FR) 8-1 (9-8) Held up, effort 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 42l behind Reckless Venture (10-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
