held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, led 14th, headed before 3 out, rallied and every chance last, no extra flat
chased leaders, led 8th, headed next, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up approaching 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 13th, headed next, rallied and led again 3 out, soon strongly challenged, all out
mid-division, headway 7th, led 14th, soon headed, weakened after 4 out
led until 3rd, remained prominent, led again 6th, headed 8th, soon lost place, tailled off
held up in touch, every chance 4 out, soon weakened
in rear when fell 5th
in rear, pulled hard, led 3rd, raced wide and headed before 6th, soon weakened, pulled up after 12th
prominent, lost place 4th, behind when pulled up approaching 13th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
LINE BALL should retain enough ability to be a factor at this level but he's likely to face some fierce opposition from the likes of Kadount, Billyvoddan, Coolefind and Inaro to name but four. The selection has been off the track since October where he finished a fair third to Majestic Concorde but he had been struggling in the main prior to that and connections clearly felt that his opportunities under Rules were going to be limited. He should be a factor at this level but he does have something to prove on the ground as well as needing to take to a new form of headgear. Kadount has picked up a couple of races in this sphere already whilst Coolefind has some smart Hunter Chase form to his name and has to be feared despite the weight concession. Billyvoddan was a smart performer in his prime and will be dangerous if a change of routine/scenery has reinvigorated him whilst Inaro brings winning point form to the table to give this a really competitive feel but Line Ball may be up to the task.
Coolefind (IRE) (12-5) Ww; hdwy 14; led 3 out; kpt on wl, won at Guilsborough 3m ptp gf beating Denvale (12-5) by 10l, 4 ran.
Took My Eye (IRE) 4-7 (12-5) Held up; led 6; rdn 2 out; hdd nr fin, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Parrain (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gd.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Ap; jnd wnr 12; one pce 3 out, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Ice Tea (12-7) at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp gd.
Cash In Hand (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened before next, tailed off, 7th of 8, 42l behind Breaking Silence (12-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Inaro (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Cl up; rdn to ld 3 out; kpt on, won at Guilsborough 3m ptp gf beating Home By Midnight (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Kadount (FR) 9-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 14th, clear 3 out, ridden next, headed bend approaching last, soon one pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Picabo Kid (11-5) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gd.
Line Ball (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Majestic Concorde (11-12) at Sligo 2m 4f chs in Oct.
Media man (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Ss; led 6-12; wknd 14; pu 3 out, in a race won by Narciso (12-0) at Whitwell-on-the-hill 3m ptp gd, 14 ran.
Prelude d'Estruval (FR) 14-1 (11-0) 2nd of 5, 12l behind Whistling Straits (11-7) at Tabley 3m ptp gs.
Scotland Yard (UAE) 9-2 (11-5) Reluctant to start, behind, joined field in rear 4th, went 3rd 9th, outpaced next, rallied to go 3rd 2 out, no impression after, 3rd of 7, 37l behind Picabo Kid (11-5) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gd.
