tracked leaders, ridden approaching 10th and soon beaten
towards rear, headway from 10th to track leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead run-in
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
led, ridden and joined 3 out, still disputing lead when jockey dropped whip and headed last 100 yards
tracked leaders, close up when fell 9th
towards rear, ridden and kept on from 2 out
mid-division, tracked leaders 8th, ridden 3 out, soon one pace
always behind, lost touch from 9th
mid-division, pulled up quickly before 8th, lame
mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, ridden approaching 11th, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Not many of these have shown much recently and so the obvious choice is Kyber, Commercial Express and Mr Ex may provide most danger. Kyber does at least come here in winning form, having landed a handicap here over two and a half miles. The extra distance is not a problem as he ran well over three miles last season, but the soft conditions are a slight concern. However Musselburgh does dry out quickly and if no more rain falls he should be good enough to make it back to back victories. Commercial Express ran well in a better class contest over course and distance last time out and will be hard to keep out of the places. Meanwhile Mr Ex was well behind the selection last time but has a squeak on his previous run when runner up to Nebraska City. The Irish challenger Komoto looks the best of the others, but the safest option here appears to be Kyber and he gets the decision.
Mr Ex (ARG) 6-1 (11-2) Towards rear, weakening when hit 9th, 13th of 16, 45l behind Kyber (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Commercial Express (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway next, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Bafana Boy (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Komoto 7-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 13, 35l behind Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.
Essifer (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, moderate 6th halfway, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Black Harry (11-5) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Kyber 10-1 (10-6) Made virtually all, ridden 2 out and kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd beating Or de Grugy (10-11) by 4l, 16 ran.
Surfboard (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Led, ridden 7th, headed and weakened 4 out, 3rd of 7, 36l behind Brave Villa (11-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Cash On Friday 13-2 (10-3) Held up, ridden and headway 7th, weakened before next, 8th of 11, 48l behind Stagecoach Opal (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Roadworthy (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Soon pushed along, struggling 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Nebraska City (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Hue And Cry 66-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, 10th of 17, 14l behind Magnificent Seven (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Mae Moss 7-1 (11-7) Sn prom; led app 2 out til hdd last; r.o, 3rd of 12, hd behind Shanteen Lass (11-7) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd.
Bromley Abbey 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders until weakened after 6th, 7th of 12, well behind Woodstock Lass (10-5) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Jan.
