held up in rear, headway after 7th, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next
pressed winner, lost 2nd before 3 out, no extra next
held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, jumped right next, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no impression, one pace
made all, clear when jumped right and not fluent last 3 fences, stayed on
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, lost touch before 8th, soon pulled up
in touch, not fluent 3rd or 9th, weakened well before 3 out, pullled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 9th, went 3rd from 3 out, no impression, mistake last, no extra
held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 2nd, soon lost place, hampered 5th, lost touch after 7th, pulled up before next
mid-division, unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, lost place 6th, pulled up before 8th
Both Galway Jack and Not So Sure Dick could figure here if at their best but the pair have lengthy breaks to overcome. It's a long time since Patsy Finnegan was in the winner's enclosure but he did finish ahead of The Black Baron at Leicester last time. The jury is out on O Crotaigh and No No Bingo as both were pulled up last time but Balbriggan is better than he showed at Newbury in December and Balinroab was third at that track on his latest start, though tries a new trip today. THE MAGIC BISHOP stayed on late behind Tipsy Dara at Ayr last time under today's claimer. He could do with dropping a few pounds but at least arrives in form and should be thereabouts in this if ridden closer to the pace.
The Magic Bishop 6-1 (11-1) Held up in last, hit 12th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went 2nd flat, not able to get on terms with winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Tipsy Dara (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Galway Jack (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Took keen hold, raced wide, led, went right 4 out, headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Allanard (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jun.
Patsy Finnegan 20-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, steady headway 9th, chasing leaders when mistake 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on from last, went 3rd post, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Tafika (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
O Crotaigh (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Led, mistake 1st and 2nd, mistake 7th, headed before 12th, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pentiffic (10-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
No No Bingo (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, slow and struggling 9th, last when blundered next, pulled up before next, in a race won by Simply Wings (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Balbriggan (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in last trio, not fluent 7th, ridden and lost touch after 13th, blundered 14th, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Handy Andy (11-0) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Pyracantha 16-1 (10-12) Led, headed 5 out, soon behind, 4th of 7, 29l behind Mcmurrough (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Balinroab (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Prominent, led 11th, headed approaching 4 out, chased winner until approaching 2 out, soon one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Sustainability (11-9) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
The Black Baron (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out until ridden approaching next, one pace and no impression, lost 3rd post, 4th of 11, 18l behind Tafika (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Not So Sure Dick (IRE) 3-1 (9-13) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd before 5th, pushed along before 10th, one pace under pressure and no chance with leading duo from 4 out, not fluent next, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Hunt Ball (11-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb '12.
