led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on, held by winner flat
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 2 out, hung left and headed when not fluent last, no extra flat
held up in last, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on flat
tracked leaders, dropped back through field 5th, weakened approaching last
held up, mistake 2nd, headway from 4th, led approaching last, edged left flat, driven out
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, driven 3 out, weakened before next
Nonrunner
Trend Is My Friend is sure to be popular having got off the mark in determined fashion at Sedgefield. Endeavor is in good form but is also on a career-high mark while Millers Reef is probably best watched after a lengthy absence. Brian Ellison runs MUSNAD and Lifetime but the former looks the one to be on as he has a progressive profile and looks like being a lot better over hurdles than he was on the Flat. Craig Gallagher's 8lb claim is a major plus in a race like this.
Musnad (USA) 11-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, just nudged out flat, cheekily, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Alwaystheoptimist (11-0) by nk, 16 ran.
Trend Is My Friend (USA) 3-1 (10-9) Chased clear pair, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged 2 out, upsides leaddr last, led narrowly run-in, hung left, just held on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr beating Travis County (10-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Smart Ruler (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Always in rear, struggling 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 19l behind Call Back (11-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Millers Reef (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Guns of Love (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Aug.
Endeavor 11-10fav (10-13) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 2nd, chased winner approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Kayfton Pete (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Ladies Selling Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (5) gd in Apr.
Kian's Joy 20-1 (10-6) Chased leader, hit 4th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Majestic Bull (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Lifetime (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Always prominent, ridden and edged left after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Ivan Boru (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
