held up in touch in 5th, not fluent and slightly hampered 2nd, headway tracking leaders 3 out, 2nd on long run before next, every chance when blundered 2 out, soon no extra
took keen hold, held up in last trio, went modest 4th before the last
pressed leader until 9th, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, pulled up soon after
led but pressed, headed on long run after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before the last
tracked leaders, reminder after 9th, disputing modest 3rd when jumped right 2 out, weakened soon after, plugged on run-in
well in rear and never travelling, reminders after 5th, lost touch 8th, stayed on into modest 3rd from 2 out
chased leaders, reminder after 6th, went 2nd 9th, led on long run before 2 out, almost joined when left with advantage 2 out, stayed on strongly
CABRAGH went up 7lb for a very easy victory at Sedgefield then blundered his way around Newcastle. He came here a couple of weeks ago and produced an impressive display and as that was only his third start over fences there should be more to come and he gets the vote. Rolling Thunder pulled up despite starting favourite on his chasing debut at Ayr but the 2m4f looked too short and he made no mistake over this trip at Musselburgh on New Year's Day. He looks promising and should go well while winning hurdler Bassarabad is bred for chasing and makes his debut over the bigger obstacles, as does Lower Hope Dandy. The latter only scored once over timber though that was very easily in a Cheltenham handicap. He's a bit on the old side to be starting a new career, as is Allthegear No Idea. though the latter hasn't had much racing for his age. The former hunter Play The Ace, a prolific winner between the flags, hasn't shown much since going up 9lb for his victory at Stratford in August.
Lower Hope Dandy 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Desert Cry (11-7) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Allthegear No Idea (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Held up in last, mistake 8th and 4 out, ridden and effort after 4 out, one pace and no impression from 2 out, 4th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Grape Tree Flame (11-6) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in May.
Play The Ace (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led until 7th, chased winner until 12th, chased leaders, went badly left next, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Behind The Wire (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Cabragh (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Prominent, led after 3rd, joined 8th, hard ridden 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well, won at Bangor 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Pithivier (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Rolling Thunder (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Led to 4th, led again 2 out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan beating St Johns Point (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bassarabad (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Not always fluent, chased leaders, mistake 3rd, reminder after 8th, not fluent and 2nd next, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, 2nd of 7, 26l behind Mondlicht (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 6f (4) gd in Nov.
Kilcullen Flem (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, challenged 12th, led next, headed before 14th, soon ridden and lost place, behind when pulled up before 17th, at Bangor 3m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
