EVERAARD took a huge step-up to this trip at Musselburgh last week and gained his first success over hurdles. A 7lb penalty makes things tougher but a quick follow-up is on the cards though Ballymacduff, who came in for support, had to be pulled up when his saddle slipped. Cool Operator looked as though a longer trip would suit when staying on behind Pyracantha over 2m4f at Musselburgh and this should suit as it should Mac Aeda, who was having only his fifth start over timber behind Wild Desert at Doncaster. Currahee jumps and stays well but is 8lb higher than when last scoring over timber and though Sphinx has generally competed at a higher level he's now a teenager and hasn't run since October.
Cool Operator 5-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not much room on inner before 3 out, soon switched left and headway, not fluent last, kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Pyracantha (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Sphinx (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leading pair next to before last, no extra, 4th of 15, 4l behind Mith Hill (10-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Worth A King's 13-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 12th of 13, well behind Diklers Oscar (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Mac Aeda 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, outpaced 2 out, hit last, kept on run-in, no impression, 4th of 15, 9l behind Wild Desert (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 13, 44l behind Arctic Court (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Currahee 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden to chase clear winner approaching last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Midnight Chase (11-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (4) gf in May.
Playing The Field (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) In touch, chased leading pair under pressure after 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost remote 3rd last, 4th of 8, 32l behind Bled (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Ballymacduff (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders and keen, saddle soon slipped, went 2nd at 5th, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Everaard (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jan, 10 ran.
Goffa Crag 33-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Too Cool To Fool (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Everaard (USA) 9-1 (10-11) In touch on inner, chased leaders before 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, clear before last, eased last 75 yards, driven out towards finish, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jan beating Vallani (10-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
