mid-division, lost place 5th, weakened 9th
soon pushed along and behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led to 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, effort next, soon one pace
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 4 out, drew clear from 2 out, easily (no time taken)
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, outpaced 8th, never on terms
tracked leader, hit 8th, weakened from next
held up when fell 6th
behind, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden next, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden 9th, kept on to chase winner 2 out, no impression
Nonrunner
Ballyshan can defy topweight over Mumbles Head, with Wicked Nice Fella, Notaproblem, Grattan Lodge and Prince Adjal others in with a shout. Ballyshan was given a fine ride by Marc Goldstein when making all at Kempton in March, and although he might not be quite able to dominate in the same fashion today, he can still prove up to defying topweight. Mumbles Head bolted up over slightly shorter here last time, and carries a 7lb penalty in his bid to follow up. He will not mind the ground and is also on the short-list. Wicked Nice Fella has shaped as though he will stay this trip in the recent past, while Notaproblem was not beaten far on faster going at Hereford but has not won now for two years. Grattan Lodge has only had two outings this year, and has been hard to place in the past, while Prince Adjal is anchored with a 7lb penalty for his amateur riders' success round here on Wednesday. In an open-looking contest, it is Ballyshan that is lumbered with the vote.
Ballyshan (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar beating Knighton Lad (10-11) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Overserved 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders until weakened approaching 8th, 5th of 7, well behind Endless Power (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Always prominent, led going well before 3 out, clear last, pushed out, won at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft beating In Dream's (11-2) by 8l, 13 ran.
Wicked Nice Fella (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led 7th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Gidam Gidam (12-2) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Notaproblem (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) In touch, led 10th, ridden 3 out, headed next, no impression from last, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Hello It's Me (11-6) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Return Ticket 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling 6th, 10th of 17, well behind Eleazar (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Prince Adjal (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, stayed on well from next, won at Perth 3m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft beating Inn From The Cold (10-6) by 13l, 14 ran.
Oscar The Boxer (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) In rear, effort when mistake 4th, weakened next, 7th of 12, well behind Carapuce (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
