prominent, going best shaken up 2 out, soon ridden and led, edged left under pressure run-in, kept on well
close up, led before 2 out, soon pushed and and headed, rallied approaching final flight, ran on but always held
front rank, ridden along when outpaced after 3 out, rallied and went third flat, kept on but no match for first two
took keen hold, in rear when not fluent 1st, struggling and behind from 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, plugged on one pace from 2 out, never going pace to challenge
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no extra, faded after 2 out
towards rear, ran out and unseated rider 4th
Malaita is more exposed than some but is rated only 2lb lower than the penalised Autumn Return, who has to give 10lb including Alex Edwards’ claim. Midnight Shuffle won a Kelso bumper when last seen and has also placed between the flags but might just need this. BENTS HOLLOW had only two rivals on her debut under Rules at Musselburgh but won as she liked and it’s hard to imagine that there won’t be plenty more to come this season.
Autumn Return (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up off the pace in last pair, pushed along when given slight bump 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Luccia (11-0) at Newbury 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Bents Hollow (IRE) 1-6fav (11-0) Made all, 10 lengths clear 2 out, kept on well run-in, canter, won at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Melchoir (11-0) by 11l, 3 ran.
Comedaygoday (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, nudged along after 2 out, never on terms, last of 5, 12 3/4l behind Paddy The Horse (11-9) at Hexham 2m hcp stks (4) sft in Nov.
Emily Wade (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Jumped slowly 1st, tailed off when unseated rider 3rd, at Wetherby 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Malaita 15-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along home turn, eased in 6th before last, 6th of 9, 22 3/4l behind Getaweapon (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Midnight Shuffle 9-4 (10-12) Led, headed over 13f out, pressed leader, led 2f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Kelso 2m (4) gd in Sep beating Pepite Fleurie (10-10) by 11l, 7 ran.
Milltown Lily (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Tracked leader 3f, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Persian Wolf (10-8) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
She's A Steal (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Rear mid-division, never showed, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Crebilly (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Wedding Stress 125-1 (10-7) In rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along after 4 out, well behind after 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Legendary Day (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
