chased leaders, lost place 4th, behind when hampered 6th, lost touch before next, continued tailed off until pulled up after 2 out
slowly away, soon in touch, blundered badly and lost place 6th, behind when ridden after 4 out, no danger after
led narrowly, not fluent and headed 3 out, ridden and no impression with winner between last 2, lost 2nd last, one pace
always prominent, led 3 out, ridden clear after next, kept on well
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
with leader, lost place after 4 out, ridden after next, took remote 4th 2 out, no chance with leaders
held up in rear, headway under pressure after 4 out, chased front pair before next, one pace 2 out, went 2nd when not fluent last, no chance with winner
The veteran Bescot Springs took advantage of heavy going to score at Kelso and he's perfectly capable of winning again from this mark in similar conditions. Bourne isn't the force of old and is 8lb higher than his last winning mark though he's won in much better class than this in the past. Plus Jamais likes it around here and has been running well without winning including when narrowly beaten over fences last month. He should be thereabouts but the vote goes to OSCAR'S PROSPECT. Easily the least exposed in the line-up, Jedd O'Keeffe's mare has gradually improved and her second to Mcginty's Dream at Newcastle can get a boost from the winner in today's opener. Another Mattie last won when beating Bescot Springs at Kelso just over a year ago but is well handicapped at his best and showed more promise at Newcastle last time.
See Double You (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) In rear, weakened from 8th, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Bryden Boy (12-0) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Bourne 20-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner from last, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Bryden Boy (12-0) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Another Mattie (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Prominent on outside, lost place after 2nd, closed after 4th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, hung left before 2 out, plugged on from last, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind Rhymers Stone (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Plus Jamais (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, kept on and just held close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Rowdy Rocher (11-10) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Native Optimist (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Rhymers Stone (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Close up, ridden before 2 out, challenged last, led soon after, kept on, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Snapping Turtle (11-9) by 9l, 9 ran.
Oscar's Prospect (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd from last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Mcginty's Dream (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
