tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led narrowly last, soon ridden, stayed on well closing stages
tracked leader to 3rd, in touch, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd last, no chance with front pair
led, went left 3 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly last, kept on and every chance flat, held closing stages
in touch, tracked leader from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, lost place approaching next, soon no chance with front pair, lost modest 3rd last, weakened flat
in touch in rear, reminders after 7th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
BALLY LAGAN has really found his form this year, completing a hat-trick in the easiest of styles at Taunton. Not surprisingly he's shot up the ratings and is 11lb higher but looks capable of more and can go in again. Compadre was still in the lead when falling two out at Huntingdon and is capable of better than his form figures suggest while Jackthejourneyman is just 3lb higher than when scoring at Huntingdon in October and the ground has come in his favour. Chestnut Ben has managed to win 10 times over fences ,including at a higher level, so can't be discounted while Oliver's Gold has invariably run in higher grade contests and has rarely been out of the money.
Oliver's Gold 18-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out, eased and pulled up, at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Compadre (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, led soon after 4 out, headed when fell 2 out, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Volt Face (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, chased leaders 4 out, one pace when went right next, ridden after 2 out, soon no impression, weakened last, 5th of 6, 16 1/2l behind Open Hearted (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Jackthejourneyman (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader until after 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Triggywinkle (10-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Bally Lagan (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Held up in touch, headway 5 out, led 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating No No Cardinal (10-5) by 10l, 8 ran.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent and headed 2 out, jumped right last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 4, 3l behind Contre Tous (12-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
