in touch when fell 11th
held up, steady headway 11th, went 2nd between last 2, ridden and stayed on well to lead near finish
chased leaders, pushed along 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
mid-division, hampered 11th, soon outpaced, never on terms
tracked leader, led 6th, headed 11th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway 11th, effort approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
behind, hampered 11th, never dangerous
mistakes, held up in rear, effort 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, led approaching 2 out, ridden last, kept on until headed, no extra near finish
led to 6th, lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 7th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, headway to lead 11th, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
GENTLE RANGER is the call with Banoge and Ragador forming the best of the local runners. David Pipe's charge was previously a fair sort in points and he was not disgraced when finishing second on hurdling debut at Chepstow. It's a long way to come from Somerset so on that basis alone, David Pipe must have confidence of recouping those costs and more. Banoge was slightly disappointing at Kelso but a perusal of the form that have obtained since, suggests that the race was a lot tougher than many had originally given it credit for. Ragador showed plenty of grit to finish second at Newcastle but would need to improve from his modest rating. Ballynatty Express has questions to answer after letting down his backers on his last two starts. Pre Token had shaped with promise in bumpers and could be anything. That said, Graham Lee has elected to ride Kilkenny All Star instead. Nicky Richards had a treble on Saturday so it would be no surprise to see Silver Steel run well this afternoon. Coldwells has yet to trouble the judge since arriving from Ireland. Not a particularly strong race but Gentle Ranger has plenty of ticks in the right boxes.
Ballynalty Express (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Raysrock (10-4) at Hexham 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Banoge (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, soon ridden and effort, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Door Boy (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Bearneen Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 15, well behind The Snail (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Easby Mandarin 25-1 (10-10) Always behind, 11th of 14, 42l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Feb '07.
Gentle Ranger (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, took keen hold, led 5th, not fluent 8th, not fluent and headed 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 15, 4l behind West End Rocker (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Kilkenny All Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mistake 2 out, always towards rear, last of 14, 29l behind Busker Royal (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Paddymcgintysgoat (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sheriff Hutton (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May, 11 ran.
Pre Token 25-1 (11-3) Led to 6th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 15, 33l behind Best Prospect (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Ragador 16-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Polly Whitefoot (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Roman Army (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, behind when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Norminster (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct, 14 ran.
Silver Steel (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden in 12th and no impression before straight, soon weakened, 17th of 20, well behind Imaalhall (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 sft.
Coldwells (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Held up, mistake 2nd, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Teenando (9-12) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Oct, 10 ran.
