mid-division, lost place 9th, behind when blundered next, pulled up before 4 out
in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next
in touch, headway 4 out, led next, ridden and kept on well flat
chased leader, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
always behind
led, headed 3 out, ridden and outpaced when mistake next, no impression approaching last
in touch, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next
held up, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace approaching next
held up behind, headway 4 out, went 2nd out, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced when blundered and lost place 4 out, soon ridden and beaten
Master Sebastian is the form horse of the race but Lucinda Russell's gelding would prefer a softer surface and on this ground preference is for Hard Act To Follow, who gets the vote over Rayshan. The last mentioned seemed not to stay the trip in the Scottish Borders National last time and has to be respected dropped back in distance today. Euro American is a consistent performer and should be thereabouts again but he looks to be a shade high in the weights, while Silver Sedge could similarly do with some help from the handicapper. Maurice has yet to trouble the judge since joining Don McCain and preference is for Hard Act To Follow. Howard Johnson's gelding has been pulled up in his last two starts but they have been in decent company and he looks worth another chance dropped into this grade.
Hard Act To Follow (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4 out, last and weakening when blundered next, soon pulled up 4 out in race won by Lothian Falcon (10-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
You're Special (USA) 7-1fav (10-1) Chasing leaders when fell at the 16th in race won by Lacdoudal (11-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr '06, 18 ran.
Marcel (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, 32l behind Astarador (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs.
Rayshan (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear, blundered 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Brooklyn Breeze (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In touch until weakened 13th, 8th of 11, 26l behind Backbeat (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Rebel Rhythm 12-1 (10-8) Led to 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Naiad du Misselot (10-0) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Maurice (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, never on terms, 6th of 13, 21l behind Roman Ark (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 28-1 (10-1) Mid-division, weakened from 14th, 9th of 20, 28l behind An Accordion (10-3) at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jan.
Euro American (GER) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Patricksnineteenth (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Master Sebastian 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 13th, ridden to lead last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Nevada Red (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, outpaced from 4 out, never dangerous after, 5th of 7, 13l behind Flake (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-0) Held up, badly hampered 7th, stayed on from 3 out but never on terms after, 5th of 12, 12l behind Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Jimmy Bond 4-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened between last 2, last of 6, 28l behind Undeniable (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
