tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 4 out, ridden next, kept on until headed last, one pace flat
mid-division, ridden 3 out, 3 lengths down when fell next
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
mid-division, close up approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
led, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakening when hampered and unseated rider 2 out
held up, ridden and no impression when hampered 2 out
Halla San is preferred to Folk Tune and Valain with Pilca and Stainley preferred of the remainder. The selection was well backed when winning a competitive novice hurdle over course and distance last time and looks to be one to keep on the right side of. Compromiznotension was back in third and a big run from that one earlier on the card would boost his claims but regardless of that, there was a lot to like about his victory and he gets the nod. Folk Tune deserves to win one of these after a string of solid runs in competitive handicaps at this track but, with no respite forthcoming from the assessor, he could continue to run into better handicapped horses. Valain was never competitive at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day but the testing ground was far from ideal and the prevailing conditions here should be much more to his liking. Charlie Swan's runner is accorded plenty of respect but we'll stick with Halla San.
Folk Tune (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway next until one pace flat, 4th of 7, 6l behind Astarador (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs.
Valain (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, 8th halfway, 6th 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 11, 27l behind Moskova (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 0-130 hvy in Jan.
Calculaite 10-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened last, last of 4, 16l behind Deedeetee (10-6) at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Masafi (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out and soon beaten, 6th of 7, 19l behind Along The Nile (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Pilca (FR) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened from last, 6th of 15, 25l behind Doctor David (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Soubriquet (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Prominent, every chance 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 35l behind Prince Linamix (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Halla San 2-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden next, kept on to lead run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Along The Nile (11-13) by 2l, 15 ran.
Stainley (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division until ridden and weakened 4 out, 10th of 13, 40l behind Dundock (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Film Festival (USA) 10-1 (10-13) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, 6th of 13, 14l behind Sculastic (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
