in touch to halfway, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
in touch, lost place and outpaced 4 out, stayed on one pace after 2 out
held up, in rear, headway 7th and in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on
towards rear, headway 7th, outpaced 4 out
always behind
prominent, weakened after 6th
towards rear, outpaced 4 out
towards rear, mistake 1st, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
in touch to halfway, soon behind
in touch, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place 7th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on after 2 out
Although he has never won first time out, we will take the chance that Nolife, who comes from a yard going well, can do so this time, with Green 'n' Gold, Penteli, and Arctic Lagoon others to consider. The selection was in fine form last winter, winning four on the trot on different ground, so any rain wouldn't be a problem. He stays well, jumps well and can pick up another handicap here. Green 'n' Gold is back on a winning mark and will be no back number. He goes on a sound surface and stays pretty well, though he is a little out of touch at present and is perhaps best watched. Penteli is up 5lb for a fast ground win here over course and distance earlier in the month, and if the ground stays good then he should be involved at these weights, while Arctic Lagoon is a bit if a consistent plodder, who switches back to hurdles here and is respected coming from a yard that likes to have winners at the Borders track. Bot Nolife looks capable of further improvement, and we take him to score.
Wally Wonder (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, headed approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Mr Mischief (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Nolife (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Chased leader, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, kept on from last, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Jan beating Lanzlo (11-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Tobesure (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last, 5th of 7, 15l behind Bob's Gone (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Welsh Dream 11-2 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Bodfari Signet (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in May.
Arctic Lagoon (IRE) 5-4fav (10-4) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace next, 4th of 9, 13l behind Inglewood (9-8) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Green 'n' Gold 6-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Habitual (11-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf.
Old Nosey (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 12, 9l behind Penteli (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Penteli 10-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, effort 3 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf beating Wise Tale (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
