led, pushed along and headed before 3 out, weakened soon after, blundered last
held up, headway chasing leaders 8th, led before 3 out, hung right and headed 2 out, weakened and left 3rd last
chased leaders, rider lost iron briefly 2nd, joined leader on outside next, lost 2nd 7th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off when unseated rider last
chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, went 2nd 7th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, driven out
keen in touch, headway chasing leaders 6th, every chance 3 out, still every chance when hung right and hit 2 out, switched right approaching last where left 2nd, kept on
raced keenly, held up in touch on inside, steady headway on inside approaching 4 out, pushed along before next, hit 2 out, keeping on in 2nd when fell last
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
held up, pushed along and struggling in rear 4 out, kept on from 2 out
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, lost place and behind 6th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
Uptown Funk made a successful hurdling debut over the minimum trip here on New Year's Day and though unable to handle Listed company on a return visit he wasn't disgraced. BUCKLED can't act on soft ground but has won two of his last three on good going so providing the ground doesn't ease too much he can carry his big weight to another victory. Blunder Buss produced his only poor run on testing going and he looks certain to be losing his maiden tag soon on this sort of ground while Traditional Dancer paid at the weights for completing a double in 2016 and is only just starting to come down.
Buckled 4-1 (10-13) Made all, not fluent 6th, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Nathans Pride (11-7) by 12l, 8 ran.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 11-4 (8-13) Raced keenly, chased leaders, 2nd over 12f out, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 8th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Archibelle (8-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Craig Star (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) In touch, weakened after 3 out, last of 6, 32l behind Beeno (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Blunder Buss (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) With leader, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 8, 9 3/4l behind Caventara (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Arthurs Secret 6-1 (11-4) Keen, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and every chance 2f out, went 2nd towards finish, never going pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Something Brewing (10-10) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Mar.
Uptown Funk (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, driven and outpaced before 3 out, no chance with leaders after, 4th of 5, 14 3/4l behind We Have A Dream (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Alizee De Janeiro (FR) 8-1 (12-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and weakened before last, 6th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Spectator (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Staigue Fort 20-1 (11-11) Towards rear, slipped and unseated jockey on bend before 3 out, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Boogie Life 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leading pair until outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 6, 7l behind Jamacho (10-10) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Mar.
