led and soon clear, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led and wandered approaching 2 out, soon clear, driven out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, close up 6th and staying on when fell next
mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, 3rd and ridden when hit last, no extra flat
held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on
chased leaders, hampered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next,
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly and mistakes in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division on outside, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner between last 2, kept on no impression
in touch, ridden next approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 5th, kept on from 3 out, no impression
chased clear leader to 4th, soon lost place, tailed off 3 out
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, tailed off 3 out
mid-division on outside, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened
2nd when blundered, unseated rider 1st
Best Prospect was useful on the level and already looks the pick of these over hurdles judged by his debut second to Starting Point at Kelso earlier this month, a reproduction of which may well see him open his account over timber and he gets the vote ahead of Cripsey Brook and Collateral Damage. The last mentioned was of similar ability to the selection on the level and although well held on his hurdling debut, he should have learned from that effort. Albinus was useful on his day on the level but has not progressed as much as may have been anticipated over hurdles and Andrew Balding's gelding looks best watched. Realism was well held on his only previous attempt over hurdles but Mick Easterby's gelding has been running better on the flat of late so cannot be discounted. Royal Flynn showed some promise over hurdles last term and has to be of interest along with the 10-year-old Cripsey Brook from the in-form Keith Reveley stable. Best Prospect has solid claims though and he is preferred.
Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, hit 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Littlemissdynamite (9-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Albinus 11-2 (10-13) Raced wide, held up in rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, well behind Ashley Brook (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy.
Best Prospect (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, smooth headway from 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden and kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Starting Point (11-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Mid-division, close up approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Kalahari King (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Cripsey Brook 14-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden after 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 5l behind Laborec (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Island Key (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place halfway, soon behind, 12th of 16, well behind Star Player (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Killfinnan Castle (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leader, struggling after 4th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Whiteoak (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mayor of Seaham (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly away, always behind, last of 8, 49l behind Frank Crow (9-0) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept '05 (Flat).
Merigo (FR) 125-1 (11-0) In touch, disputed lead 4th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 24l behind All For The Cause (11-0) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Realism (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, staying on when blundered 3 out, no impression, 5th of 13, 16l behind Trafalgar Man (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden 3f out, outpaced 2f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 11l behind Satin Braid (8-13) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
Royal Flynn 2-1fav (11-1) Held up in touch, headway to chace winner approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-1) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Tickers Way 9-1 (10-8) Made virtually all, clear when ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Jun '05 beating Bluecoat (11-1) by 4l, 15 ran.
Wild Fell Hall (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Chased winner until weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Domino Dancer (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Young Alf 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, struggling from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Blushing Hilary (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 16, 23l behind Greenbelt (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mabel (IRE) 17-2 (9-11) Towards rear, stayed on final 2f, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 9l behind McQueen (9-0) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct (Flat).
Miss Lightning 100-1 (10-3) Led to 5th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 16, 44l behind Greenbelt (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
