held up behind, close up 10th, went 2nd 13th, led going well before 2 out, clear last, very easily
jumped left, disputed lead until outpaced and lost 2nd 13th, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off
chased leading pair virtually throughout, outpaced 3 out, soon no chance with front pair, tailed off
held up in 5th, went 4th when fell 7th
made most, mistake 13th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner approaching last
chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place 7th, soon struggling, no danger after, tailed off
in rear when fell 6th
The Wifes Pet is back at the scene of her sole success over fences so far but she hasn't done a lot since. Icy Colt and Playing With Fire are fairly consistent but are starting to look a little exposed and the former probably wouldn't have finished in front of Jolly Roger at Cheltenham last time had Evan Williams' four-year-old not crashed out at the top of the hill. BALZACCIO had three runs in decent company over fences last season but looks to have improved over the summer judged on the way he rallied to beat Escort'men at Fontwell 11 days ago. He can defy his penalty in this.
Balzaccio (FR) 7-4 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 4th, pushed along approaching 3 out, joined next, narrowly headed last, rallied gamely under pressure on inside to lead again final 100 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd beating Escort'men (11-3) by 1l, 4 ran.
Icy Colt (ARG) 20-1 (11-11) Led, pushed along after 3 out, driven and headed last, one pace flat, 2nd of 4, 7l behind That'll Do (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf.
Flichity (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) In touch, closed 11th, ridden next, blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Bottman (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd, 6 ran.
Muldoon's Picnic (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, stayed on from 3 out, switched right flat, never nearer, 5th of 19, 14l behind Saint Are (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Playing With Fire (IRE) 5-2 (10-3) Jumped badly right, tracked leaders, weakened 5th, left poor 2nd 4 out, 2nd of 4, well behind Wake Board (11-6) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
The Wifes Pet (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden after 11th, outpaced from 13th, 5th of 7, 35l behind Ballagio (10-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Jolly Roger (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, held up in 4th, fell 4 out, in a race won by That'll Do (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf, 4 ran.
I've Been Framed (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) In touch, not always fluent, lost touch 12th, went remote 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 4, 30l behind Five Star Wilsham (11-4) at Stratford 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd.
