led, pulled hard from 4th, ridden and headed home turn, weakened rapidly approaching 2 out
held up, rapid headway to dispute lead 2 out, took it up narrowly last, ran on well flat, driven out
mid-division on inside, headway under pressure 2 out, not quicken approaching last, kept on same pace flat
mid-division, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, never in contention
prominent, ridden to lead home turn, hard pressed 2 out, every chance when mistake last, kept on flat without threatening winner
mid-division on outside, not fluent 8th and pushed along thereafter, dropped to rear from 3 out, tailed off
always towards rear, never involved
Ballymilan was well beaten when last seen over hurdles at Worcester in April. Espinator looks to have lost his way while Ben Lilly is proving hard to place. Winning chaser Jony Max has yet to place over hurdles but MR YEATS was recording a fourth win over the larger obstacles here 11 days ago and his rider’s claim negates the penalty. Art Of Illusion is still a maiden but there’s a good chance that this stamina test will suit.
Art Of Illusion (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Chased leader, led 2nd, pushed along and joined 3 out, headed 2 out bumped before last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 6 1/2l behind Festive Glory (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Mr Yeats (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Close up, tracked leaders 3 out, left in lead next, ridden and ran on, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Umbrigado (12-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Ben Lilly (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Held up tracking leaders in 4th on inside, closer 10th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden between last two, no extra in 4th, 4th of 6, 11 1/2l behind You Name Him (11-8) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Jony Max (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, closed after 3rd, ridden after 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 6, 22 3/4l behind Liffeydale Dreamer (12-0) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Espinator (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 6th until 7th, pushed along 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, 29 1/4l behind Fine By Me (10-9) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Ballymilan 15-8 (11-11) Jumped right, mistakes raced in last and in touch, reminder after 9th,ridden 14th, headway after 16th,jumped right and beaten 3 out, went 2nd approaching last kept on but well held run in, 2nd of 3, 4 1/4l behind My Lady Grey (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Ho Que Oui (FR) 100-1 (11-10) Always in rear, never a factor, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Feb.
