handy, led after 4 out, went clear with one other before 3 out, shaken up before 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed after last, ran on gamely, always doing enough
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
rear mid-division, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, never in contention
tracked leaders, pushed along and went clear with leader before 3 out, pressed winner run-in, always held, well clear of rest
rear mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, plugged on for remote 4th
in rear, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden and lost place 4 out, soon well held
towards rear, always behind
prominent, lost place after 4 out, soon ridden and struggling
in rear, never on terms
mid-division, ridden home turn, kept on steadily to take remote 3rd run-in
led, headed after 4 out, soon left behind by front pair, keeping on one pace in remote 3rd when bad mistake last, no extra
towards rear, never involved
BALCO COASTAL easily landed the odds on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon and should have few problems defying a penalty here with a similar effort even though Iontach Cheval followed up a bumper win in April with a victory over hurdles at Uttoxeter. Hard Frost may do better now going hurdling and Frere D'armes switched to the Skelton yard after finishing second in a point in September. Stumps Or Slips was beaten a distance when third at Doncaster.
Balco Coastal (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Chased leaders, headway into 2nd well over 2 out, led narrowly 2 out when left clear, nudged out flat, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Dec beating Extraordinary Man (10-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Iontach Cheval 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, travelled strongly and ridden to lead before 2 out, kept on after last, won going away, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Sayadam (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Clear On Top (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Towards rear, plugged on in mid-division from 3 out, never threatened, 7th of 14, dist behind Cousu Main (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Fortyfive West (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, well beaten 3 out, 16th of 18, dist behind Hermes Boy (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Frere d'Armes (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-div, 3rd 1/2way, gng well aftr 3out in 2nd, slt mstk 2out, chall last, no ex cl hm, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Ballycamus (11-11) at Oldcastle 3m mdn gd in Sep.
Hard Frost (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Pulled hard early, led, headed 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Knowwhentoholdem (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) hvy in Oct.
Magic Venture (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Took a strong hold in last, went second 3rd, led 4th, disputed lead 5th, fell 3 out, at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Mitchell Street 300-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 4th, weakened next, pulled up 4 out, at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gd in Dec.
Modreeney (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always in rear, never a factor, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after, at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Samatian (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division relegated to rear 3rd where not fluent, some headway when awkward 5th, ridden and lost touch after 2 out (usual 3 out) no extra, 6th of 9, dist behind Knappers Hill (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) gd in Nov.
Stinggrey (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 4 out and soon ridden, tailed off from 3 out, last of 4, dist behind Creative Control (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Stumps Or Slips (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch, headway and close up 4 out, ridden and weakened next,, 3rd of 7, dist behind Brief Times (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Sulbrick (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind Richmond Lake (11-4) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Volatore 250-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and weakened 6f out, last of 12, dist behind Get Sky High (10-7) at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Mar.
Walkinthewoods (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division, 4th and lost touch well before 3 out, 4th of 7, dist behind Stream Of Stars (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Barnie Beetle Firebreak gelding out of Helamis.
