Plenty of doughty stayers in this line-up and it is BALLYFOY who is narrowly preferred to Carrickmines and Qhilimar, although the bold front-running Knighton Combe won't be an easy horse to pass. A strong fancy for the Eider at Newcastle, connections will have been disappointed when that meeting was cancelled due to the weather. This son of Alderbrook is a very stout stayer as shown when winning two competitive Lingfield handicaps in the mud. He does have form on better ground however and with a course win to his name as well a bold bid looks likely. Regal Heights drops in grade and looks fairly handicapped, Le Burf is more of a Kempton specialist but looks high enough in the weights anyway, whilst Au Courant tries a visor instead of blinkers but he looks a reluctant hero. Bold Ransom is a consistent gelding who represents a yard going well, I'moncloudnine looks high enough in the weights for winning a Huntingdon race in January, whilst Knighton Combe and Qhilimar are strong stayers who have been holding their form well this season. Pretty Star needs a market check as he is well-handicapped, Dom D'Orgeval needs to get back to enjoying racing, whilst Carrickmines is 16lb higher than when starting his winning streak at Ludlow in February. The first two were miles clear last time at Uttoxeter and he may not be done with just yet. Rimsky deals in places not trophies, so a bigger threat may be Notabotheronme despite testing ground and a marathon trip suiting him better. A long list of horses to consider then, stressing the tricky nature of the race, but the nod goes to the progressive Ballyfoy.
Regal Heights (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, definite advantage 7th, joined 11th, headed 12th, chased leader until next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 25l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway from 14th, 4th after 4 out, 3rd 2 out, challenged last, stayed on strongly to lead flat, won at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan beating Ma Yahab (11-10) by 6l, 10 ran.
Le Burf (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, blundered 14th, headway 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 13, 26l behind Razor Royale (10-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb.
Bold Ransom (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Led, headed 8th, led again next, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Mister Marker (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
I'moncloudnine (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Hampered 3rd, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by BallaBriggs (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs, 24 ran.
Knighton Combe 8-1 (11-12) Towards rear, jumped slowly 11th, headway and tracking leaders when mistake 19th, chased leaders after, chased winner between last 2, no impression from last, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Noble Bily (9-9) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Qhilimar (FR) 10-3fav (10-11) In touch, effort from 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear and stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Far More Serious (11-9) by 6l, 12 ran.
Pretty Star (GER) 13-2 (10-11) Led to 2nd, tracked leaders, lost place 12th, ridden and outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 49l behind Chief Dan George (11-3) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Dom d'Orgeval (FR) 7-1 (10-6) In touch,hit 12th, 5th and staying on when blundered 4 out, kept on into 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair when mistake last, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Eric's Charm (11-10) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Quattrocento (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Held up in touch, blundered badly 10th, soon in rear and a lot to do, went 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Petite Margot (10-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Carrickmines (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up well in rear, headway approaching 11th, went close 2nd before 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well flat to lead near finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft beating Buffalo Bob (11-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Burren Legend (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Mistake 2nd, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by BallaBriggs (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs, 24 ran.
Rimsky (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Ran in snatches, mid-division, headway approaching 11th, weakened 18th, 6th of 9, 21l behind Fine By Me (10-6) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Notabotheronme (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leaders, hampered and left chasing leader 9th, lost 2nd 13th until 15th, ridden in 3rd next next, outpaced after 17th, rallied 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Lavenoak Lad (9-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Au Courant (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4th, pushed along 4 out, rallied to well held 3rd after last, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
