prominent, led 3rd until 4th, led 6th, clear briefly after 15th, ridden when blundered 2 out, headed before mistake last, beaten flat
jumped left at times, led until slow 1st, led 2nd until slow 3rd, last after, not fluent 9th or 13th, outpaced 15th, closed on outside 4 out, 2nd 2 out, led before last, clear towards finish
led 1st until 2nd, led 4th until 6th, pecked slightly 7th and shaken up, pushed along 12th, outpaced after 15th, closed 4 out, blundered badly 2 out, beaten after, kept on flat
NonRunner
Pickamix was odds-on at Market Rasen on Friday but was never travelling wit any conviction and only managed fourth. Silent Steps was having a confidence-booster last time over hurdles at Ayr but finished tailed off and has questions answer now. There looks to be little between Ballycross and BADEN on the form book but Nicky Henderson’s grey is getting 3lb from last month’s Ffos Las winner so just gets the nod.
Ballycross 9-2 (11-8) Soon tracking leaders, challenged 14th, not fluent 4 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Apr beating Alfie Spinner (11-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Baden (FR) 4-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, slightly hampered 5th, 2nd and every chance 2 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Winter Lion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Silent Steps (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Led narrowly to 3rd, with leader, lost place after 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 11, dist behind Ocean Cove (11-2) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Pickamix 4-5fav (11-12) Led, headed after 3rd, reminders after 4 out, weakened after last, 4th of 6, 18l behind Shady Glen (11-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gd in May.
