close up when slipped and unseated rider 1st
brought down 1st
soon led and clear, mistake and headed 8th, behind next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
prominent, mistake 10th, ridden 13th, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
chased leader, with leader 13th, ridden 4 out, every chance next, broke down and pulled up before 2 out
soon behind and ridden, pulled up after 8th
hampered and unseated rider 1st
held up, reminders 7th, improved to chase leader 9th, led 12th, headed next, led again 4 out, ridden out
close up, led 8th until 12th, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace approaching last
Ballabriggs and Caged Tiger are the two to concentrate on here with Donald Will Do best of the rest although Sovereign's Joy may have more to offer. Ballabriggs is the pick. Donald McCain's string are operating at the top of their games at present and his son of Presenting has been crying out for this longer trip. He's posted two fine efforts over fences since slipping up on his chase bow and this is an ideal opportunity for him to open his account. The danger is Caged Tiger who has twice made the frame over course and distance on faster ground. There should be more to come from him and he should be able to cope with the conditions although that premise is, as yet, unproven. Donald Will Do has ability whilst Sovereign's Joy hasn't shown a great deal the last twice but is bred for this game. There may be other days for that pair but they'll do well to trouble Ballabriggs today.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hampered 5th, ridden 4 out, stayed on towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Wee Forbees (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Caged Tiger 9-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 10th, soon prominent, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Bengo (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
Clockers Corner (IRE) 28-1 (9-12) Towards rear, struggling from 4th and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Corlande (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Coolavanny Lad (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, hampered 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, well behind Fleet Street (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gs.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, headed 9th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 48l behind Rimsky (10-11) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec.
Hot Chocolat 100-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not jump well, behind from 7th, 7th of 10, well behind Thunder Rock (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
President Hill (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, led again 6th, headed 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 46l behind Super Nick (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft.
Romeo (FR) (10-1) Struggling when pulled up halfway in race won by Keep Cool (10-3) at Enghien 2m 1f hdl sft in Nov '02, 19 ran.
Sovereign's Joy 14-1 (10-9) Held up, blundered 2nd and 6th, left remote 3rd 11th, 3rd of 6, well behind Keepthedreamalive (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Byways Boy 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, reminders after 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mortimers Cross (10-7) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Flemen Loon (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not jump well, under pressure 5th, soon tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Cathedral Rock (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs.
