held up in touch in 5th, went 4th before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out and going well, ridden last kept on, always held run-in
with leader early, took keen hold, pushed along before 2 out, weakened after last
always towards rear, weakened before 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced from 4 out, plugged on from last, no impression
held up mid-division, effort and no impression from 4 out
behind and pushed along, soon struggling, pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, weakened before 4 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased winer and going well before last, soon ridden, kept on, held final 100 yards
tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, held on well, driven out
Having won on his debut at Bangor, Absinthe proved no match for Ingleby Spirit when favourite at Musselburgh next time. He may also have to settle for a place again here behind newcomer LYVIUS. A winner on the Flat in Germany in the autumn, he was bought for 32,000gns at Newmarket's October sales and the fact that he's already been nibbled at in the betting for the Triumph Hurdle suggest he's already been showing up well at home. Rhymers Ha' was second over C&D on his jumping bow and, along with Musselburgh winner Kealigolane and Newcastle third Hada Men, looks the pick of the remainder.
Absinthe (IRE) 8-13fav (11-11) Held up in touch and keen, led 3rd, switched left before 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 16l behind Ingleby Spirit (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Kealigolane (IRE) 12-5 (10-12) Led, not fluent 3rd or 4th, headed after 3 out, led again before 2 out, soon headed, hit last, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind The Weatherman (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Ahhdehken 25-1 (10-12) Disputed lead, lost place over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 43l behind Atlanta Falcon (11-1) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Aye Well 200-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 10, 42l behind Ingleby Spirit (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Hada Men (USA) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, plugged on, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Spiekeroog (11-3) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Hakuna Matata 12-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 31l behind Countess Comet (10-12) at Catterick 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Littlebillybigtime Supreme Sound gelding out of Dockside Strike.
Mill Bay 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Lexi's Boy (10-7) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Oscar Stanley (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) With leader, weakened before 4f out, 10th of 12, well behind The Wayward Lord (10-13) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Rhymers Ha' 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, went 2nd after last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Into Wain (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Victor Hewgo 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outside, outpaced over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 15, 38l behind Kaysersberg (10-11) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Taruma (FR) (10-3) 4th of 12, 17l behind Michto (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f chs sft in Oct.
Lyvius (8-0) won at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 2f hcp in Oct, 12 ran (flat).
Skirlaw (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon lost place, 8th of 10, 46l behind Ingleby Spirit (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
