in touch and in rear, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, every chance after last, not quicken
with leader, weakened from 8th, tailed off before 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, clear 2 out, pressed after last, edged left run-in, asserted towards finish
led, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
Nonrunner
Maggio has been aimed high over hurdles and fences in his career so shouldn't be too inconvenienced by stepping up in class after two convincing victories at Kelso. He had the favourite and today's rival Green Flag 18 lengths back in second on his latest start and testing conditions won't be a concern. RENDL BEACH won two Musselburgh bumpers for Peter Niven before gaining a runaway hurdling victory for Rebecca Curtis at Fontwell. He looked the likely winner for much of the way at Cheltenham in October but a mistake two out put paid to his chances and he faded over the 3m2f trip. This should be more to his liking and he can get back on the winning trail. Bit Of A Jig, runner-up in two Irish point-to-points, was a really impressive winner on his debut for Donald McCain at Carlisle and there's much more to come from him and neither Mitchell's Way nor William Money are out of what should prove an informative contest.
Maggio (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outside, headway to lead 8th, drew clear between last 2, ridden out, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Green Flag (11-5) by 18l, 13 ran.
Bit Of A Jig (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, switched outside approaching 7th, led 2 out, drew clear from last, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Three White Socks (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Green Flag (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Mid-division on inside, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, one pace when not fluent next, no chance with winner before last, 2nd of 13, 18l behind Maggio (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Mitchell's Way 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 4th, kept on gamely run-in, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Snowed In (10-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rendl Beach (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Tracked leader, not fluent 6th, led 9th, mistake 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 11l behind According To Trev (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Oct.
William Money (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd run-in, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Civil Unrest (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) gd in Nov.
