McMURROUGH can become the second Malcolm Jefferson trained horse to get the better of Signalman in consecutive starts. Alan's Legacy is worth keeping an eye on in the market. Malcolm Jefferson has put together a nice team at his North Yorkshire base and he has another promising youngster on his hands in the shape of this son of Spectrum. Heavy ground and hurdles will be new experiences for him but he has shown a smart level of form in bumpers and probably ran his best race to date at Cheltenham. The trainer certainly has a decent line on the form as he sent out Moscow Catch to defeat Signalman last time. That was a good run from the Monteith gelding behind a promising individual but his opponent here is equally promising and he could struggle under a penalty. Kingsdale Orion has made a satisfactory start but this trip could stretch him and of more interest is Alan's Legacy. He was beaten a long way on his sole run in a bumper but was sent off at a short price and is the preferred mount of the stable jockey so it will be interesting to see if the money arrives again. He has it all to prove though unlike McMurrough who is going from strength to strength.
Signalman 11-4 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led after 3 out, headed last, every chance flat, weakened towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Moscow Catch (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Alan's Legacy (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 16, 50l behind Quwetwo (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Ballybanks (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 30l behind Tot Of The Knar (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Best Lover (FR) Great Palm gelding, half-brother to Flat and chase winner Livornesse.
Bracken Lad (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, kept on from last, no impression, 5th of 16, 17l behind Signalman (10-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Catai 80-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 38l behind Red Moloney (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Dallas Bell 4-1fav (10-13) Raced keenly, in touch, outpaced 5f out, soon beaten, 10th of 16, 24l behind Schofield (10-11) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gf in May.
Dark Moon (GER) 28-1 (10-11) With leaders, ridden approaching 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 33l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, 5th of 9, 12l behind Dave's Dream (11-5) at Newbury 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Maxwellton Braes 66-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, went 3rd over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Bygones of Brid (11-4) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
McMurrough (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, head run outside 8f out, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 12, 12l behind Shinrock Paddy (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) sft in Nov.
Rennington Blue (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up behind, weakened from 5th, tailed off next, 11th of 16, well behind Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
What A Cliche 100-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Benfleet Boy (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pugnacity 33-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 19l behind Jane of Arc (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 4f sll (6) gd in Sept (Flat).
Dancing Dik 18-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 34l behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Fujin Dancer (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, weakened approaching 6th and pulled up at the last in race won by Mr Thriller (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
