led, headed narrowly 7th, led again after next, drew clear from 3 out, unextended
chased leading pair throughout, lost touch and struggling 8th, soon tailed off
tended to jump left, in rear, struggling 7th, reminders after next, soon tailed off
tracked winner, led narrowly 7th until after next, outpaced when jumped right 3 out, soon no chance with winner
The drop back in trip is a slight concern but BILLIE MAGERN should still have too much for Right Or Wrong; Adrianeo should win the battle for third over Ellandshe. Our pick got off to a poor start over fences when falling at Southwell but hasn't looked back since winning twice, with the second coming here at Perth over three miles. He looks an out-and-out galloper so the drop back to 2m4f isn't ideal, but providing the horse gets into a nice rhythm out in front he'll surely prove hard to beat. As a 128-rated hurdler, he's little to fear from the 115-rated Right Or Wrong. Gordon Elliott's charge hasn't yet scored over fences from two starts and his successes over hurdles came in less than competitive contests, including when he won a claiming contest here at Perth. With doubts surrounding his ability for this task and whether indeed he's fully translated his hurdling ability to the larger obstacles our choice was simple. Adrianeo is another Irish contender but makes little appeal having not yet won under rules, although having landed a pair of points he can clearly jump and will stay while Ellandshe is rated 50, which says enough about him. Billie Magern won't be much of a price but should win this comfortably.
Billie Magern 2-1fav (11-0) Made all, not fluent 8th, mistake 4 out, clear from next, kept on well, won at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gf beating Del Rio (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Adrianeo (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Soon prominent, left in lead from 5 out, strongly pressed from 3 out, headed next, no extra and dropped to 5th when bad mistake last, 5th of 9, 26l behind Caim Hill (11-9) at Down Royal 3m beg chase gd in Mar.
Ellandshe (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place when hampered bend after 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Roznic (10-8) at Hexham 2m 4f sell (5) gf in Jun.
Right Or Wrong (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 10l behind Wikaala (11-4) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
