held up, weakened 6th
held up in touch, pushed along to chase leaders after 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, soon left clear, edged left after last, all out
always behind, pushed along approaching 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
led to 7th, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, oupaced 4 out, stayed on to take poor 3rd flat
chased leaders, mistake 1st, led approaching 3 out, headed and fell 2 out
prominent, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway to lead 7th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, weakened from last
held up towards rear, weakening when hit 6th, tailed off from 8th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, outpaced 7th, staying on when left 3rd 2 out, chased winner approaching last, upsides flat, no extra towards finish
Peter Bowen won this last year but it is hard to imagine Football Crazy following up in the form he is in at present, and preference is for Roaringwater to get the better of Ballybeg Glen. The Richard Phillips-trained selection was a soft ground Lingfield winner last time when he looked better value than the official eight lengths suggested. The gelding stays well and although he has never won on good ground he does act on it, so he is taken to follow up. Ballybeg Glen steps up in trip, but previous attempts at this sort of distance have suggested he does not stay. However, the ground will be suitable and he was an easy scorer himself last time so he is very much respected. Trip and ground suit Totally Scottish, who is a bit of an in-and-out performer, but a good run at these weights, with his yard in form, would be no surprise. However Roaringwater left a good impression last time and can follow up.
Double Deputy (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leader until ridden after 4 out, stayed on from next, 4th of 9, 9l behind Atticus Boy (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Football Crazy (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Chased clear leader, ridden and lost place 3rd, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Count Kristo (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (5) gd, 9 ran.
James Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced from 7th, 8th of 17, 29l behind Bleu Pois (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Astorvale (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led to 6th, close up when blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 47l behind Bleu Pois (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
McQueen (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 17l behind Andorran (9-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Accepting 14-1 (10-9) Soon in touch, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 29l behind Rushneeyriver (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jul '06.
Ballybeg Glen (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led approaching 7th, hit 2 out, in command when mistake last, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gf in Oct beating Chunky Lad (10-1) by 6l, 15 ran.
City Music (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, reminders after 7th, no chance from 9th, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind City Streets (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Roaringwater (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Soon prominent, led 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on under strong pressure, won at Lingfield 2m 7f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Oct beating Better Moment (11-9) by 8l, 11 ran.
Its A Rinky Dink (IRE) Shardari gelding, half-brother to Irish 2m6f chase winner King Balthasaar.
Talarive (USA) 3-1fav (11-12) Close up, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Flower Haven (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf, 13 ran.
Totally Scottish 11-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, well behind Irish Raptor (10-6) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
