held up in 4th, went 3rd approaching 5th until mistake next, weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, raced keenly, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out
held up in rear, headway to go 3rd 6th, not fluent last, weakened flat
held up in rear, raced keenly, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, ridden and weakening when jumped left last
raced freely, led, joined 2 out, soon driven, headed last, not quicken
held up in last, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened flat
chased leaders until approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Bruslini has been expensive to follow in his career thus far and may be worth opposing with KACK HANDED ahead of Gunslinger. The latter represents a yard that has been firing in the winners of late and he's entitled to improve for his initial experience of hurdling at Plumpton where he bumped into a potentially useful performer. High hopes were held for Bruslini as a juvenile but a tendency to pull too hard in his races prevented him from reaching the hoped for heights and he still has a fair bit to prove. However, it was a fairly encouraging performance on his return to action and this isn't the strongest of races. A 3lb drop in the weights following that run leaves him on the same mark as Kack Handed who showed promise on a number of occasions last season but also finished tamely a couple of times too. The yard's horses are running pretty well at present and he'd have live claims in this company if returning at the top of his game. Of the remainder, Rumpus is worth a cursory glance but the vote's awarded to Kack Handed.
Alfie Bet 250-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened between last 2, 7th of 12, 17l behind Alvarado (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Bruslini (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked winner throughout, disputed 2nd 2 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Carrolls Cross (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Ergo (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 3 out, one pace from last, 5th of 12, 11l behind Skylancer (11-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Gunslinger (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, chased winner after 3 out, no impression when mistake last, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Whenever (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Kack Handed 15-8 (10-12) Led, soon clear until 4th, hit 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Thumbs Up (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 2 out, effort approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Best Lover (10-13) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Rumpus (GER) 25-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, last of 9, 14l behind Secret Tune (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun '07 (flat).
