tracked leaders, left 2nd after 4 out, led after next, clear when not fluent 2 out, 10 lenghts ahead last, drifted right flat, all out, just held on
mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 5th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
prominent, ridden 12th, not fluent 17th, soon weakened
mid-division, fell 5th
held up in rear, headway when blundered 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until ridden after 3 out, 2nd and beaten when blundered 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, hampered 5th, headway after 14th, hung left from before 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on well, not quite reached winner
not always fluent in rear, mistake 4 out, never in contention
chased leaders, mistake 8th, lost place when mistake and hampered 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, hit 2nd, hampered 5th, always behind
mid-division, hampered 5th, progress under pressure into 5th after 3 out, carried left after last, pressed for 2nd, stayed on well
pressed leader until 11th, losing place when hit 16th, soon weakened
prominent, not fluent 2nd, blundered 9th, driven 14th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
not jumped well, chased leaders, fell 13th
held up towards rear, headway after 15th, hit next, 8 lenghts 5th when fell 4 out
mid-division, reminders after 10th, lost place before 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
pulled hard, headway 5th, went 2nd 11th, blundered 4 out, not recover, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, steady headway from 12th, went 3rd after 4 out, 10 lenghts down when fell 2 out
mid-division, pushed along briefly 5th, headway 10th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
hampered 3rd, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 11th, hit 16th, soon struggling
mid-division, pushed along and lost place before 10th, rallied approaching 2 out, pressing for places last, one pace flat
mistake 2nd, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
The booking of Nina Carberry adds credence to the belief that GALANT NUIT is the one to be with here, although BallaBriggs, Shillingstone and Finger Onthe Pulse must be given careful consideration. Ferdy Murphy is a master at targeting races and looks to have done that here, his runner having been off the track since scoring here in November. Fitness has therefore to be a slight concern but he'll have done plenty of work and a 7lb rise for that win last time appears fair, whilst conditions are expected to pose no problem. He gets the vote to land a tricky race from top weight BallaBriggs. Donald McCain's charge won very nicely last time, fully justifying the 10lb hike he received from the handicapper, whilst the fact he carries so much weight is less of a concern in light of the fact last year's winner Character Building had to do the same. He likes good ground too, so may well be sent off favourite in a wide open renewal. Shillingstone has progressed well this year and likes good ground too, so whilst the Alner gelding disappointed last time he's probably worth another chance dropped down a pound in the weights having been so impressive earlier in the season. He makes more appeal than Nostringsattached who was readily brushed aside off this mark last time and may have done his winning for the season. Healthcliff needs to put a below par run behind him but a positive can be gleamed from the jockey booking as Ollie Greenall has ridden the horse to victory in the past, so the eight-year-old makes more each way appeal than most. Boychuk has plenty of experience and represents an in-form yard but he hides nothing from the handicapper, Isn't That Lucky has disappointed the last twice but needs a market check along with Kia Kaha as both have become well treated and represent powerful stables. Kachaturian is a useful northern tool who should run his race, Saphir Des Bois gained a confidence boosting win last time and Faasel is a fascinating contender on his first run for the Pipe yard but we'd need to see strong support before switching allegiance from Galant Nuit.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up, in rear, headway 9th, led 4 out, clear from 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Feb beating Gypsy George (11-6) by 10l, 7 ran.
Parsons Legacy (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, weakened from 12th, 11th of 12, well behind Calgary Bay (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec.
Faltering Fullback 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, mistake 4 out, ridden from next, led briefly entering straight, soon headed, no extra before last, 4th of 7, 13l behind Dancing Tornado (11-5) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ hvy in Dec.
Hello Bud (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Tracked leader to 15th, pushed along next, ridden 5 out, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 14, 46l behind Silver By Nature (10-11) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Finger Onthe Pulse (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 9th, ridden and struggling 11th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Mount Oscar (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Nostringsattached (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, blundered 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 2nd of 17, 10l behind Backstage (10-1) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Aug.
Khachaturian (IRE) 85-40 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, reminders after 6th, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs (3) hvy in Feb beating Noun De La Thinte (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 8th, 7th of 12, 39l behind Last Flight (9-9) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Saphir Des Bois (FR) 11-4 (9-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, joined leader 4 out, led before next, ridden and 5 lengths clear when blundered last, held on under pressure flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (2) hvy in Feb beating Or Bleu (10-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Shillingstone 3-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, headway 14th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 6th of 9, 6l behind Wind Instrument (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Boychuk (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, took close order 12th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Calgary Bay (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec.
Galant Nuit (FR) 9-2fav (10-0) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, produced to challenge last, led run-in, driven and stayed on gamely, won at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov beating Don't Push It (11-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Oodachee 14-1 (11-10) Soon settled in mid-division, dropped to last approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 26l behind Hugo De Vindecy (11-6) at Down Royal 2m 4f hdl hvy in Feb.
Zitenka (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Prominent, lost place 10th, chased leaders 12th, chased winner from 15th, weakened final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Or de Grugy (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-135) (5yo+) (3) sft in Feb.
Heathcliff (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) In rear, weakened from 13th, 8th of 12, 27l behind Carrickmines (10-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Mr Robert (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 14th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, 42l behind The Last Derby (10-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Kia Kaha 20-1 (10-6) Held up, in rear, ridden and behind from 13th, tailed off, 8th of 10, 37l behind Piraya (10-9) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Freds Benefit (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led, strongly pressed 3, out soon headed, weakened and blundered last, 6th of 7, 30l behind Russian Flag (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Isn't That Lucky 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders until blundered and lost place 9th, behind and no chance after, 8th of 18, 49l behind Mount Oscar (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Pressed leader, hit 12th, lost 2nd next, stayed on flat to regain 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Piraya (10-9) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
I'moncloudnine (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Mid-division, driven and headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure flat, to lead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan beating Ultimate Limit (10-13) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Lysander (GER) 3-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, led before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed when not fluent last, one pace flat, no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Wolf Moon (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Ma Yahab 9-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, stayed on from 3 out, kept on into 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Wind Instrument (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Burren Legend (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 13, 6l behind Warsaw Pact (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct '08.
