towards rear, headway before 7th, challenged last, ridden and every chance run-in, kept on and held close home
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 6th, led 2 out, pressed last, ridden run-in, just held on close home
led, clear before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened before last
soon chased leader until before 6th, lost place from 3 out
in rear, in 4th before 2 out, never dangerous
always towards rear, weakened after 3 out
GRAND MORNING won a maiden hurdle over track and trip last month and is weighted to get the better of both Cubomania and Trongate. The former landed a double in handicaps in Ireland before well beaten at Thurles while the latter also returns to novice company having scored over a longer trip here in December. Specialist is a maiden winner on the Flat and makes his hurdling bow while both Budarri and Johnny Pedlar were well beaten in the same race at Kelso recently.
Cubomania (IRE) 7-2fav (10-5) Mid-division, some headway in 3rd after 3 out, pushed along entering straight and no extra after 2 out, moderate 5th and mistake last, 5th of 12, 25 1/4l behind Knockraha Pylon (10-13) at Thurles 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Grand Morning 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along 2nd and soon towards rear, outpaced 4 out, headway before 3 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Nando (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Trongate (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged 2 out, every chance when mistake last, lost 3rd when no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 4l behind Too Many Chiefs (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Budarri 28-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Cool Mix (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Johnny Pedlar 66-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden before 2 out, in 5th before last, no impression, 5th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Cool Mix (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Specialist (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 4f out, soon outpaced, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Special Relation (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
