led, ridden 2 out, headed approaching next, no extra flat
held up in touch in rear, headway to chase leader 4 out, led approaching last when jumped right, ridden and headed towards finish
tracking leader when fell 4 out
close up, pushed along when left 3rd 4 out, ridden 2 out, rallied flat, stayed on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, slow 10th went 2nd when fell next
Creative Control won over track and trip before finishing runner-up back here off today’s higher mark. He’s still preferred to Duke Of Deception, who faces a much tougher task than when runner-up at Kelso last time. First Account was beaten a long way when second over course and distance on his penultimate start and a chance is taken on MAGNA SAM despite returning from an absence. The latter won this as he liked last year and a recent change of trainer may bring a return to form with Harry Cobden’s presence in the saddle another positive.
First Account 7-2 (10-7) Handy, bad mistake and blundered 4th, remained close up and led 6th, headed 3 out and weakened tamely, pulled up before next, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Creative Control (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd or 4th, some headway after 12th, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Massini Man (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
That's A Given (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Chased winner until 8th, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, not fluent last, plugged on flat, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Red Missile (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Methodtothemadness (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hit 13th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Morning Spirit (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Duke Of Deception (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Held up in last, pressed leaders 12th, led narrowly 4 out, pushed along 2 out, not fluent last, ridden run-in and headed closing stages, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind To The Limit (10-4) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Magna Sam 11-2 (10-8) Mid-division, lost place towards rear and struggling before 12th, never on terms after, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
