led before 1st, drawing clear when mistake 3 out, easily
not fluent, always last, blundered badly and lost touch 2nd, continued well behind
often out-jumped by main rival, led until before 1st, chased winner after, ridden after not fluent 4 out, no impression before next
RAINY CITY has bumped into a couple of useful sorts in his two chases to date. He stuck well to the task when runner-up to Baby Bach at Perth last month, having jumped well throughout. He sports first-time blinkers and tongue tie here which will hopefully aid his case further and can make his chasing experience count against Ballinure. The latter has some decent hurdling form and now makes his chasing debut. He may well prove better over the larger obstacles but was rated some 13lb below his rival over hurdles. Double U Dot Ede's has little chance on the book but is guaranteed prize money with a clear round.
Ballinure (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in 6th place, headway into 4th as runners came into view before 2 out, driven in 2nd after jumping the last, 2nd and held in closing stages, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Desert Sensation (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Double U Dot Ede's 66-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, bad mistake 2nd, 7th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 12th of 15, dist behind Abbey Magic (11-5) at Tramore 2m mdn gd in Oct.
Rainy City (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Led, sometimes a little hesitant at the fences, not fluent and reminders 5th, went left 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Baby Bach (10-12) at Perth 3m (4) gd in May.
