Our Boy Ben has moved to Gordon Elliott from Malcolm Jefferson for who he won a novices' handicap at Sedgefield last May. He's still only seven so could be capable of better. KING BLUE appeared to find 2m4f stretching his stamina at Clonmel and he was run out of it by Mtada Supreme so this trip can enable him to gain his first success over the bigger obstacles. The veteran Instant Impacked won a much better race than this here just over a year ago from a 10lb higher mark which suggests he would be unbeatable on that form but he's been in such poor form subsequently that he's difficult to side with. The Shepherd King has dropped to a mark he should be capable of winning from though he's at the veteran stage now.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, 10th from 8th, no extra approaching straight, 7th of 12, dist behind Mtada Supreme (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp sft in Mar.
Instant Impacked (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, inclined to jump right, 7th from 5th, not fluent 4 out, no extra approaching straight, pulled up before 3 out, at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
King Blue (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up, 7th from 8th, slightly impeded 11th, slight mistake 3 out, soon 4th, travelling smoothly straight, challenged 2 out and pecked, soon on terms, pecked slightly last, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 12, nk behind Mtada Supreme (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp sft in Mar.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) In rear, closer halfway, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, no impression last, kept on one pace run-in, 5th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Le Grand Chene (11-6) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Our Boy Ben 2-1fav (11-11) In touch, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 23 1/4l behind Gin Cobbler (11-9) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Duty Dance (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Led, soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, 2 lengths clear at 7th, headed after 4 out, driven and weakend after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hvy in Mar.
Gary (FR) 20-1 (9-12) Close up, not fluent 4th, on terms 5th, soon headed, mistake 9th, bumped slightly 10th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
