held up, hampered 5th, headway next, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, pushed along halfway, kept on from 2 out, no impression
in touch, hampered 5th, soon chasing winner until 2 out, soon outpaced
mid-division, effort to 3 out, never dangerous
close up, led 4th, hit next, drew clear from 2 out
prominent, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased winner next, no impression
held up, mistake 2nd, never dangerous
led to 4th, blundered next, soon weakened
towards rear, effort to 3 out, no impression
in touch, hampered 5th, chased leaders to 2 out, one pace
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, hampered 5th, in 6th when weakening, fell 2 out
Blue Buster should have come on for his recent reappearance at Kelso on very testing ground, and with that in mind he gets the vote ahead of Kamanda Laugh and Marine Life. The selection could put his hurdling experience to good use as he has already run five times over hurdles to date. He won two bumpers, over ground no worse than good to soft, and assuming that the going remains as anticipated then he should go close today. His shrewd trainer is in good form at present, and if the money comes for the six-year-old gelding then it would only enhance his chances. A very live danger could be a rare hurdler from the Kevin Ryan Yard, Kamanda Laugh. He made his hurdling debut 18 days ago at Musselburgh and wasn't unfancied that day, however an early mistake meant that he never got into the race. He can improve on that today, and his obvious flat speed could see him very much in the thick of the action. Marine Life has been given 49 days off after running no sort of race on his hurdling debut, however he is expected to leave that running behind today and as a fairly smart bumper performer, he looks a danger. Of the rest, fair flat performer Tender Trap makes his hurdling debut and should be monitored in the betting, although better ground would be more suitable. Crofton ran a good race last time out when fifth at Newcastle, and if showing continued improvement could go well for a stable starting to hit some fine form. Ultimately though, in what looks a fairly open race, the vote goes to Blue Buster who is taken to put his hurdling experience to good use today.
Blue Buster 7-2 (11-0) Chased winner, effort 3 out, lost 2nd last, tired flat, lost 3rd near finish, 5th of 16, well behind Bywell Beau (10-11) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Crofton (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, effort 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 5th of 15, 8l behind Pee Jay's Dream (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Kamanda Laugh 9-2 (10-12) Hit 1st, always towards rear, 8th of 15, 19l behind Gringo (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Khetaab (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led well inside last, headed last strides, 2nd of 10, nk behind Haroldini (9-1) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol (Flat).
Leighton Buzzard 25-1 (10-9) Close up, chased winner after 3 out, no impression next, lost modest 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Harcourt (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Marine Life 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, reminders 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, last of 3, well behind My Turn Now (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Mischief Night 200-1 (11-0) Always behind, 9th of 12, well behind Mohayer (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Primus Inter Pares (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Led headed after 6th, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 35l behind Pukka (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Stop The Pigeon 150-1 (10-8) Tracked clear leader until after 4th, soon weakened, tailed off pulled up in race won by Corran Ard (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gs, 14 ran.
Tender Trap (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, not clear run on rail 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 11l behind Master Cobbler (8-6) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun (Flat).
Terenzium (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Behind, no response 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong, 9th of 13, 5l behind Prince Valentine (9-6) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) frm in Aug (Flat).
Terreros 100-1 (11-1) Always behind, 11th of 15, 42l behind Tazbar (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Top Dressing (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, reminders after 5th, soon lost place, 11th of 16, well behind King Daniel (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Young Bull (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Held up, effort over 4f out, soon outpaced, 9th of 13, 27l behind Digital Media (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Stellar Brilliant (USA) 13-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, every chance approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching next, 8th of 17, 32l behind Bleak House (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Cool Hunter 66-1 (10-12) Always behind, 12th of 17, well behind Naiad du Misselot (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
