tracked leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
tracked leader, led 5th, headed 3 out, weakened next, remote 4th when pulled up before last
sweating, led, took keen hold, led until jumped right and not fluent 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon well beaten, no chance with winner when taking 2nd close home
held up in 4th, not fluent, last 3rd, well behind from 5th
held up in rear, closed after 4th, not fluent and weakened 3 out
held up in rear, closed from 4th, challenged after next, led 3 out, clear before next, easily
BALLYBOLLEY looks a smart addition to the novice hurdles ranks this term. He was unbeaten in bumpers last season, his campaign culminating in victory in a Grade 2 at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April, and he has the size and scope to make a jumper. Previous winners Ashjar, Landau and Venguer De Guye all have to give the selection 7lb but the latter did look useful when beating the odds-on Never Never here after a lay-off last month. None of the others make much appeal.
Ashjar (FR) 11-10fav (11-2) Prominent and led after 2nd, headed 5th, led again 3 out, headed next, ridden before last and no impression in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Meldrum Lad (11-7) at Tramore 2m nh nov hdl gd in Aug.
Vengeur De Guye (FR) 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 2 out, driven out, won at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Never Never (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ballybolley (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, kept on to lead close home, won at Aintree 2m 1f G2 NH flat (1) gs in Apr beating Relic Rock (11-4) by hd, 19 ran.
Farragon (IRE) 22-1 (10-1) Behind, driven over 3f out, stayed on into mid-division final 2f, never reached leaders, 7th of 11, 19l behind Relic Rock (11-4) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Velocity Of Light 25-1 (10-5) Held up in rear and keen, ridden before last, kept on and no impression, 5th of 8, 10l behind Taglietelle (11-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Last Supper 28-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, 20l behind Rocky's Pride (8-8) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf (flat).
Landau (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Rear, slight mistake 3rd, slightly detached in last halfway, improved to 7th after 3 out, 6th 2 out, kept on after last, never on terms, 5th of 11, 13l behind Orgilgo Bay (11-7) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl (grade c) gd.
Queens Regatta (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway on outside 6f out, outpaced over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 12, 48l behind Looking Well (11-3) at Perth 2m NH flat (5) sft in Apr.
