Realt Mor was well backed for a handicap at Ayr last month and had obviously been showing something at home. He should strip fitter here and sets the standard but TAP NIGHT was the best of these over hurdles and, after making a successful reappearance over the smaller obstacles at Ayr, can complete a quick double for Lucinda Russell and Peter Buchanan. Granville Island may need this and Alba King likewise while Little Hercules was beaten a long way over hurdles at Wetherby and John Wade's yard is struggling for winners at present. It's difficult to make a case for the other pair on all known form.
Alba King (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Led, pressed after last, ridden and kept on gamely, just held on close home, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Tinseltown (11-5) by hd, 14 ran.
Granville Island (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, hit 4th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed and hit last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Marchand D'argent (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in May.
Little Hercules (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, pushed and werakened before 7th, 10th of 14, well behind Trustan Times (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Realt Mor (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway when not fluent 7th, hampered 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Prosecco (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Tap Night (USA) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, led last, just held on, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov beating Auenschutze (10-0) by shd, 6 ran.
Twentypoundluck (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, not fluent 9th, soon reminders, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 10, 49l behind Everaard (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jan '11.
Royal Curtsy 33-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway after 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd place after last, 4th of 11, 26l behind Lisdonagh House (10-3) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
