chased leader, led narrowly 7th until ridden 4 out, chased leader until before 3 out, 4th and beaten when unseated rider 2 out
always towards rear, reminders and struggling after 8th, hit 4 out, plugged on
held up towards rear, closer before 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, every chance when mistake last, weakened run-in
always rear-division, never a factor, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after
raced keenly, chased leaders, blundered 4 out, pushed along when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd
never fluent, behind and struggling 7th, tailed off when blundered 10th, pulled up before next
led, hit 6th, narrowly headed 11th, in front again 4 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, led going well before 3 out, joined when good jump last, stayed on well run-in
held up, blundered and unseated rider 1st
raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along in 5th after 9th, weakened after 4 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
Ballotin boast a terrific career strike-rate and is 8lb lower than when last seen in a handicap over fences. He is certainly one for the shortlist in this, despite a recent absence. What's Occurring won what was probably a decent novices’ handicap at Ludlow on his return to action and there should be more to come but DOCTOR DEX (NAP) looked a natural over fences when scoring at Ascot and can confirm that form with runner-up On The Slopes, despite an 8lb rise. Saintemilion needs to brush up his jumping but Timoteo will have needed last month’s run at Stratford and Dead Right is another possibility having failed to handle heavy going at Cheltenham.
Ballotin (FR) 11-10fav (12-4) Tracked leader, disputed lead after 6th, led 8th, made rest, quickened clear after 4 out, in no danger after, kept on, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m 4f (6) gd in May beating Dark Mahler (12-0) by 30l, 5 ran.
Vivas (FR) 9-1 (10-10) In rear, outpaced 4 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 17l behind Copper West (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Doctor Dex (IRE) 9-2fav (10-8) Always prominent, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating On The Slopes (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Timoteo (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, in touch when not much room on bend before 3 out, no impression after, 8th of 12, 23l behind Rocco (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
On The Slopes 11-2 (10-10) Led to 4th, chased leader, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Doctor Dex (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Dead Right 6-1 (11-3) Held up behind, hit 4th, not fluent after, lost touch before 3 out (usual 4 out), soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) hvy in Oct.
Clondaw Westie (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Behind from 4th, pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Generous Day (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders and keen, hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 9, 23 1/4l behind Speed Company (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Lungarno Palace (USA) 9-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, headway 8th, ridden and chased winner after 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on under pressure towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Solomon Grey (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gs in May.
Saintemilion (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Led until after 1st, blundered and unseated rider next, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
What's Occurring (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up, pecked 1st, headway 5th, lost place 8th, effort after 9th, led last, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Court Royale (11-1) by 2l, 6 ran.
Midnight Maestro 6-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake and lost place 1st, soon last, pulled up after 7th, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
