BOLD SIR BRIAN is making good progress over fences and looks the one to beat on today's terms despite his penalty. He took care of a previous winner at Kelso last time and had a subsequent winner behind when scoring at Hexham before that. Maggio produced his best effort so far when successful over C&D in December when Nodforms Violet was pulled-up and Pena Dorada fell. Patrick Griffin's charge may prove superior to Ludlow winner Owen Glendower, though the latter's recent fourth to Quicuyo at Doncaster is decent form and he makes more appeal than Stopped Out.
Bold Sir Brian (IRE) 13-8 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, slow 5th, smooth headway to go 2nd approaching last, led flat, redily, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Lie Forrit (11-9) by 2l, 3 ran.
Maggio (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 7th, pushed along before 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (5) gs in Dec beating Vosges (10-8) by 9l, 6 ran.
Owen Glendower (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders 7th, ridden 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Quicuyo (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Nodforms Violet (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) In rear, pecked 1st, hampered 5th, soom struggling, tailed off when pulled up 5 out, in a race won by Maggio (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (5) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Stopped Out 10-11fav (11-0) Disputed lead until headed 3 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Carrickboy (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs in Jan.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, pushed along 5th, under pressure 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Primrose Time (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
