held up mid-division in 5th, weakened from 3 out
led, blundered 4 out ridden and headed before and hit 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, never a factor
tracked leader, led before 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, chased winner before last, always held
always towards rear
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, pushed along 5th, never dangerous
held up in touch in 4th, weakened 3 out
Guess Again was only beaten a length on his hurdling bow at Carlisle in November and should be thereabouts again, while the unfortunate Getting Ready didn't get a chance to improve on his promising debut as he was carried out early in a race at Kelso last Thursday. However, AMRON LAD makes more appeal than both as he finished a creditable second at Bangor on his first start over timber behind the progressive Magnifique Etoile. Donald McCain's charge gets the nod to open his account here with the remainder hard to fancy.
Acordingtoscript (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced in 4th, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 4th of 6, 24l behind Jackson Cage (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Amron Lad (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 12l behind Magnifique Etoile (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Coverholder (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Close up and keen, ran wide on first bend, pushed along 6f out, soon struggling, 10th of 11, well behind Cross Of Honour (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Dessie Gray (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 6th, effort before 3 out, never dangerous, blundered last, 9th of 14, well behind Ingleby Spirit (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Getting Ready (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Led until just after 3rd, remained prominent, hampered and carried out next, in a race won by Into Wain (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Guess Again (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not much room and bumped 4th, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, every chance when mistake last, stayed on under pressure, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Nowurhurlin (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Heart O Annandale (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 10th of 11, well behind Sydney Paget (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Murkle Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 47l behind Ingleby Spirit (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Spirit of A Nation (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 22l behind Lexington Bay (8-8) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Sep (flat).