led, pushed along and headed when mistake 3 out, battled back to lead briefly before last, outpaced flat and no extra
always in rear, mistakes throughout, never a factor
chased leader, headway to lead 3 out when travelling well, headed briefly before last, kept on well to assert final 100 yards
NonRunner
Not an easy race to judge as Magic Dancer and Fransham were second and fourth at Uttoxeter last time in the race in which Fast Buck pulled up. However, there were extenuating circumstances as Fransham misbehaved at the start and compromised his chance and Fast Buck burst a blood vessel. Magic Dancer is still preferred but CORNERSTONE LAD may have the class to trump all three despite conceding 7lb and upwards. He's a classy hurdler when the going is deep and didn't run at all badly on either of his two chase starts last season. He's had a recent sharpener on the Flat and hopefully there will be sufficient cut to enable him to put his best foot forward.
Cornerstone Lad 10-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, pushed along and pressed front pair from 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Bollin Neil (9-5) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Fast Buck (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Raced in 4th, pushed along 8th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Fransham 16-1 (11-5) Whipped round start and lost many lengths, behind, went 4th before 4 out, never any chance, 4th of 5, 33 1/2l behind Minella Drama (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Magic Dancer 9-2 (10-11) Led until 1st, chased leaders, disputing 2nd from 7th, no impression on winner in clear 2nd from 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 8 1/2l behind Minella Drama (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
