Ulverston spread a couple of plates in the process of finishing third at Doncaster last month and, over this trip, makes more appeal than Musselburgh runner-up Prince Escalus. Pay The Piper made a winning start under Rules at Sedgefield and looks a nice prospect but MALPAS was in front and travelling better than his rivals when falling at the last over course and distance on his hurdling debut and should gain compensation today if that tumble hasn’t affected his confidence.
Pay The Piper (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, led on extended run-in, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Word Has It (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Prince Escalus (IRE) Evens (11-4) Led, shaken up and headed after 2 out, outpaced after last, kept on into second close home but no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Mig Des Taillons (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Ulverston (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, awkward 6th, headway into midfield 4 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Sometimes Always (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Abrach Road 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders to 7th, behind and struggling before 4 out, well beaten from next, 4th of 5, dist behind Marown (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Hallowed Ground (IRE) (11-11) Mid-div, 5th from 6th, 7l 4th aftr 4out, fair 5th & no impr when left 3rd & b hmprd 2out, wknd, 5th of 14, 14 1/4l behind Paddy The Horse (12-2) at Boulta 3m mdn gs in Nov.
Just Jerry (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til outpcd 15, 4th of 12, 19 1/4l behind The Wise Traveller (11-7) at Alnwick 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Malpas (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Midfield, headway to lead after 2 out, led and several lengths up when fell last, at Catterick 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Passnotalegend 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon well held, 5th of 9, 13 3/4l behind Busy Street (11-5) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Pitempton Power (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leader, carried right after 3f, ridden and edged right over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 7l behind Hackberry (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Royal Arcade (IRE) Arcadio gelding out of Miss Excitable.
Royal Rank 28-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway into midfield entering home straight, weakened quickly over 1f out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Travail D'orfevre (11-4) at Ayr 2m (5) hvy in Nov.
Skipness 125-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon no impression, 6th of 11, dist behind Fern Hill (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Walk With Kings (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) (cp) chsd wnr til wknd 4f out; t.o, 5th of 11, dist behind Indigo Breeze (11-4) at Alnwick 2m gs in Mar.
Whitechurch (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, jumped left 3rd and 5th, went 2nd 7th until after 3 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, dist behind African Dance (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Cimetta 80-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, dist behind A Large One Please (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Puppetonastring 22-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, held up mid-division, driven and lost place over 3f out, soon ridden and behind, last of 10, dist behind Seaton Carew (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (5) gd in Feb.
