held up, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never near leaders
chased leaders on outside, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
chased winner to 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, weakened 3 out
always behind
made all, 10 lengths clear 2 out, driven out flat comfortably
always prominent, went second 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no chance with winner
behind until driven, kept on from 2 out, never nearer
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
raced wide, in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Balakar may be able to defy topweight but the likes of Green Day Packer and Film Festival should go well. Part of the argument for siding with the selection was stated in the preceding preview and centres on the good vein of form that the yard is in at present but he can also be given a decent chance on the form book. He reportedly failed to handle the very fast ground at Naas last time but should find these conditions much more to his liking and that outing may also have blown away any lingering cobwebs as it was his first run since he finished second here in October. That run was over two and a half miles and he is 5lbs higher this afternoon but it shows that he is good enough to win in this grade and proves his affinity for the track. He ran without aids last time but usually wears cheekpieces and it's noteworthy that he'll be fitted with both blinkers and a tongue tie today; better is expected. Thenameescapesme enters calculations despite having been well held in a higher grade last time but of more interest are Green Day Packer and Film Festival. Pat Haslam's runner has been running well in defeat since returning from a winter break and has the assistance of the talented De Giles in the saddle; he isn't too badly treated and looks sure to go close. The case for Film Festival is flimsier as he has made the frame just once in ten starts over hurdles but this will be his first run for Brian Ellison in this discipline and he ran a blinder for this yard in a decent Flat handicap at Haydock last month. Strong market support for Film Festival would look significant but we'll stay loyal to Balakar for the time being at least.
Balakar (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) pulled up at the 4th in race won by Dal Cais (10-7) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 0-130 frm in May, 16 ran.
Thenameescapesme 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 20l behind Jazz Dance (11-4) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Go Figure (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Behind, hit 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, last of 9, 45l behind Bob's Dream (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Longdale 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, 6 lengths down and no impression when hit last, kept on same pace, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Mr Jack Daniells (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Green Day Packer (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Made most until headed 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Motive (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Dennick 50-1 (11-5) With leader, led 3rd to 6th, led again 3 out, narrow advantage when fell 2 out in race won by Weet Yer Tern (10-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
Integration 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear when fell at the 2nd in race won by Mucho Loco (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May, 11 ran.
Film Festival (USA) 5-2fav (11-7) Raced wide, led to 2nd, chased leaders to before 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 27l behind Colditz (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Apr.
Follow On 40-1 (10-9) Not fluent, tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led next, driven and 3 lengths clear, hung left approaching last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft beating Compromiznotension (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Emotive 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure from last, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 3l behind Scutch Mill (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May.
Aliba (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced from 9th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 26l behind Ravenscar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Holyfield Warrior (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) In touch, jumped right 5th, weakened 3 out, last of 11, 42l behind Beechwood (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
