mid-division, hit 7th and 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, hit 8th, ridden and weakened from 2 out
always behind, beaten from 8th
mid-division, weakened from 4 out
always towards rear
towards rear, weakening when hit 9th
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 4 out
behind, unseated rider 7th
mid-division, headway to chase winner 3 out, soon ridden and no extra from last
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from 2 out
close up until ridden and weakened quickly approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, weakening when hit 9th
made virtually all, ridden 2 out and kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, hit next, weakened from last
always towards rear
towards rear, headway approching 3 out to chase leaders, soon ridden, kept on one pace from next
A poor opener where it is hard to make strong cases for many of them and our shortlist comprises Mr Ex, Or De Grugy, Muckle Flugger and Singhalongtasveer, and we will plump for Or De Grugy. Sue Bradburne's charge is no good thing here, but his second to Sybarite Chief here last month reads well enough in the context of this race, given that some of today's opponents were strung out behind him. He gets the trip, handles the ground well and he can get locals off to a winning start. Mr Ex will be popular from a powerful yard and he went close last time in selling handicap company at Catterick. Another who acts over the trip, the ground might not be slow enough for him so we will oppose. Muckle Flugger has not won for some time but has enough ability to get involved here, while Singhalongtasveer took a 2m 2f Kelso contest on his penultimate start and should be suited by conditions here, so should not be far away. Not an easy start to the card for us then, but we will side with Or De Grugy.
Another Deckie (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (10-13) Towards rear, in touch approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Majorca (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Singhalongtasveer 9-1 (10-8) Held up, outpaced halfway, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 15l behind Hush Tiger (9-10) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Muckle Flugga (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression when hit next, 7th of 14, 27l behind Welsh Dream (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Talarive (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 18, 29l behind Fleetwood Forest (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
General Hardi 14-1 (11-6) Chased leader, outpaced 6th, never dangerous, 5th of 15, 35l behind Poker De Sivola (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mr Ex (ARG) 9-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3rd, headway 3 out, chased winner last, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Nebraska City (9-13) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Barrshan (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 15, 15l behind Dancing Lyra (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Tojoneski 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakening when blundered 8th, 10th of 15, well behind Merrymaker (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Or de Grugy (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, chased winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Sybarite Chief (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Fly Kicker 80-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, 22l behind Bogus Dreams (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Rouge Et Noir 100-1 (11-3) Led until ridden and headed 6th, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Pevensey (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Lerida 10-1 (11-1) Held up, reminders after 5th, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 33l behind Mighty Fine (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Jan.
Kyber 12-1 (10-11) Held up and keen, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 15, 48l behind Sybarite Chief (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Buffy 33-1 (10-8) Soon chasing leaders, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 15, 21l behind Sybarite Chief (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Tuatara Bay (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 35l behind Our Jasper (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
King's Envoy (USA) 66-1 (10-3) Always behind, weakened from 5th, behind when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Em's Royalty (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 20 ran.
