tracking leaders when pulled up and dismounted after 7th
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, joined last, ran on well close home
towards rear, hit 12th, headway 14th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, one pace
in touch when slipped on landing 1st and dropped rear, mistake again 8th, driven along 12th, stayed on from 3 out, always held
in touch, ridden to chase leaders when slightly hampered on bend approaching 3 out, switched right to chase winner, disputed lead last, every chance flat, no extra close home
tracked winner throughout, ridden 4 out, edged right on bend approaching 3 out, in 2nd when fell 2 out
mid-division, closer order 9th, ridden along 11th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 12th, lost place and behind final 4
held up in touch, mistake 13th, ridden 3 out, no impression
Ballyvaddy has shown much improved form over fences during the last year and still looks ahead of the handicapper so gets the vote over Catch The Perk and Peccadillo. The last mentioned found Swansea Bay two lengths too good in this event 12 months ago and is 2lbs lower now despite having made a winning return at Huntingdon last month. He has to be respected although a bigger threat may come from Catch The Perk. Lucinda Russell has her string in good order at present and the son of Executive Perk has been making hay of late with wins at Southwell and Perth (twice) in his last three starts. The handicapper has taken note though and a 10lb rise for his latest success leaves the seven-year-old with more to do. Paul Nicholls is another trainer who has his string in good form at present so the unexposed Lou du Moulin Mas has to be respected along with Martin Pipe's Montreal, who looks the better of the stable's two runners. The handicapper probably has the measure of the Philip Hobbs-trained Gunther McBride and while Prominent Profile cannot be ruled out coming, a she does from the yard of Nigel Twiston-Davies it is Ballyvaddy that gets the vote. Toby Balding's gelding has won his last four starts over fences and is taken to make it five from five today.
