made all, ridden and clear 3 out, hit next, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders, chased winner from 3 out, soon ridden and hit last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 9th
always behind
Withdrawn
No prizes for guessing that the top three on your racecard form the shortlist here and it looks as though it's a case of predicting in which order they will finish. We will take Key Time to do the business, with Merrymaker and Sharp Reply fighting out the minors. Howard Johnson's five-year-old was a prolific scorer on the level when with Sir Mark Prescott last year and proved himself a thorough stayer in that sphere. A ponderous hurdling debut in November was followed up by success over course and distance last time and as he really looked like he had the hang of things we will side with him to follow up now. Merrymaker and Sharp Reply have also both won over course and distance and won't be easy beats. The former was a seven length scorer in December and coming from the Nicky Richards yard it is likely that he can improve here too. Sharp Reply won a weaker race here earlier in December and of the trio he will need to improve most, but he handles fast conditions and unlike the others in the contest he cannot be confidently written off. But Key Time is arguably the class act here and is taken to land the prize.
Key Time (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Made all and soon clear, driven out from approaching last, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Ferrando (10-12) by 9l, 14 ran.
Merrymaker 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders approaching 3 out, smooth headway to lead next, ridden and hit last, driven out flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec beating Amhairghin (11-0) by 7l, 15 ran.
Bob's Dream (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 9th, 8th of 15, well behind Merrymaker (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Brickies Mate 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 27l behind Pevensey (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Debomar (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division best, behind when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Holly Tree (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov, 15 ran.
The Luso Kid (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, lost touch and pulled up 3 out in race won by Role On (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 16 ran.
The Saltire Tiger 200-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 11, well behind Escayola (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Bint Sesaro (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Led till headed 3rd, lost touch 8th, beaten when pulled up at the last in race won by So Cloudy (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Sharp Reply (USA) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, rider dropped whip approaching 2 out, driven last, stayed to lead flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec beating Celtic Carsma (10-7) by 2l, 14 ran.
