held up in touch, went 2nd at the 6th, blundered 11th and rider lost iron, pulled up after next
towards rear, fell 3rd
prominent, ridden 5 out, soon outpaced
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 12th, soon behind
led to 3rd, mistake 6th, soon behind
prominent, led 3rd, hit 13th, ridden and hit 4 out, headed next, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway halfway, led 3 out, clear approaching last, pushed out
Four County Lad can see off Finland and Lost In Normandy. The selection is far from the greatest Irish raider to arrive but he demonstrated a degree of ability when taking a selling hurdle over at Uttoxeter and in fairness to him, it was probably a lack of stamina over Sedgefield 3m3f trip that saw him beaten last time out. He is here off a low mark and can take advantage. Finland was an average performer over hurdles. His fencing technique over the larger obstacles is far from bombproof. Lost In Normandy stays this trip well and the hold-up performer won with a degree of style at Newcastle last time out. He appears capable of acting on any ground. Dolly Dagger is still a maiden while Ballito flopped when favourite for a selling hurdle at Ludlow. World Vision showed nothing on reappearance and is best watched at present. Not a strong race by any stretch of the imagination and Four County Lad is the pick.
World Vision (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden 12th, soon weakened, 12th of 13, well behind Bafana Boy (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Finland (UAE) 12-1 (11-12) In touch, not fluent, weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, 30l behind Just For Men (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Physical Force 14-1 (11-11) Led, headed after 4 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Ravenscar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Lost In Normandy (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Held up in touch, led 13th, clear after 3 out, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Nov beating Arctic Ghost (11-12) by 18l, 7 ran.
Dolly Dagger (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, soon well behind, 12th of 13, well behind Thehonourablelady (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Four County Lad (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 13th, headed when hit 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 15, 10l behind Got The Gift (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Nov.
Ballito (IRE) 11-2fav (10-7) Held up, ridden after 8th, stayed on flat, never nearer, 6th of 15, 10l behind Ballybeg Glen (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gf in Oct.
