led, headed 5th, led again before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on strongly
held up in touch in 4th, not fluent 2nd, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace and no impression
held up in rear and keen, effort before 3 out, soon weakened
with leaders and keen, led 5th, headed before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on and no chance with winner
with leaders and keen, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before next
This is no easy task for the unbeaten RUTHERGLEN under a big weight but, as a Triumph Hurdle entry suggests, he's a nice prospect and could even improve further now going left-handed. John Quinn's charge can get the better of Sedgefield scorer Magic Skyline and Thorpe, second in a three-runner race here on his debut but possibly unlucky. Bushel is a typical John Ferguson novice having shown decent form on the Flat for Mark Johnston. He should pay his way over hurdles even if not good enough today.
Rutherglen 5-4 (11-5) Made all, jumped right a couple of times, clear 3 out, eased flat, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Mr Vendman (10-12) by 21l, 4 ran.
Bushel (USA) 15-2 (9-1) Raced wide chasing leading trio, went 3rd 5f out, pushed along over 2f out, switched right under pressure well over 1f out, went 2nd 1f out, stayed on, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Royal Skies (10-0) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug (flat).
Love Marmalade (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 14l behind San Cassiano (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct (flat).
Thorpe (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Pressed winner, not fluent 3rd, driven and slightly outpaced 2 out, stayed on to challenge when carried left last, soon ridden and not quicken, well held flat, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Dispour (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Magic Skyline (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led before 2nd, mistake 4th, headed next, 2 lengths down when hampered and left in lead 2 out, stayed on, ridden out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Hawk High (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.