tracked leaders, hit 8th, led approaching 3 out, kept on until headed approaching last, one pace flat
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened from next
towards rear, ridden and smooth headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, kept on to lead approaching last, driven out flat
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway next, soon one pace
led and hit 1st, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden after 11th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, every chance last, one pace flat
close up until ridden and weakened 10th
towards rear, effort after 11th, ridden and some headway 2 out, soon one pace
A dour staying contest here where Bafana Boy looks the pick and is taken to see off the challenges of Ice Tea, Mr Twins and Edgehill. The Nicky Richards-trained selection has gone up a stone due to a 10 length defeat of Tickateal when favourite over course and distance last time but the manner of that victory suggested that there is a fair bit more to come from him. He sets a good standard in the context of this race and is a confident selection. Ice Tea is blinkered for the first time and that can elicit some improvement from the top weight. Donald McCain does well with the runners he sends up here so the seven-year-old is respected especially now he is back on good ground for the first time since a winning debut. Mr Twins and Commercial Express both seem to prefer to keep their lights hidden under a bushel, while Edgehill was thrashed here last time by the selection and looks again resigned to running for place money. But Bafana Boy was impressive that day and is taken to follow up.
Ice Tea (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Held up, chased leaders approaching 9th, one pace form 2 out, 3rd of 15, 21l behind Wee Forbees (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Edgehill (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, outpaced after next, kept on, 4th of 7, 12l behind Bafana Boy (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Snake Rave (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 34l behind Purple Moon (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Bafana Boy 11-10fav (10-3) Held up, smooth headway 4 out, led next, clear last, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan beating Tickateal (11-5) by 10l, 7 ran.
Commercial Express (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 4th, reminders 6th, beaten when pulled up 4 out in race won by Tank Buster (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Bobbing Cove 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, 27l behind Star Fever (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Mr Twins (ARG) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 12, 19l behind Woodstock Lass (10-5) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Jan.
Humourous (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, soon one pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Star Fever (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Dalawan 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 5th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 12, well behind The Abbots Habit (11-4) at Ayr 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Polly Whitefoot 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, effort 4 out, kept on one pace from next, 3rd of 13, 7l behind So Cloudy (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
