mid-divison, headway and in touch 3 out, every chance when mistake and rider lost iorn next, no impression from last
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden 2 out, headed last, kept on under pressure to chase winner flat
in touch, disputed lead 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next , behind when pulled on before last
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon behind
led, mistake and headed 3rd, chased leader until weakened 2 out
behind, headway into mid-divison 6th, never nearer
in touch, every chance 2 out, soon ridden weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, soon no impression
chased leaders to halfway, outpaced 2 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, led last, driven out flat
Jimmy Byrne is less exposed than most of these and is given a chance on his handicap debut, with Top Style and Talarive rated the best of the remainder. The selection has had just four starts over hurdles, showing promise in maidens, and has been given a break by handler Brian Ellison, who gave the son of Red Sunset a recent spin back on the flat. The five-year-old looks to have been allotted a fair mark of 99 and is taken to open his account over hurdles at this lowly level. Top Style is clearly one of the lesser lights in Howard Johnson's stable but has claims on the evidence of his third behind Talarive at Sedgefield earlier this month. Peter Niven's gelding has twice disappointed since then though and he is probably best watched today. Richard Guest's Polished reverts to hurdling on what looks a fair mark after three runs over fences and is another to consider. Diagon Alley and Eastern Tribute both have claims on the pick of their form but do not win very often and preference is for the unexposed Jimmy Byrne and Tony Dobbin.
Ball Games 25-1 Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lawgiver at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs, 22 ran.
Talarive (USA) 20-1 Chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, 10th of 15, well behind Kid'z'play at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft.
Top Style (IRE) 5-1fav Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Talarive at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd.
Diagon Alley (IRE) 12-1 Behind from 6th, 11th of 12, 50l behind Super Dolphin at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd.
Eastern Tribute (USA) 66-1 Chased leaders, ridden and weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Westmeath Flyer at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft, 14 ran.
Jimmy Byrne (IRE) 16-1 Always towards rear, 10th of 18, 49l behind Cherub at Market Rasen 2m 1f amt nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Just Sal 33-1 Behind, headway 8th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 13th of 16, well behind Leapogues Lady at Perth 3m amt hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
