towards rear, jumped left 4th, never dangerous
led, pushed along and headed narrowly 3 out, every chance until no extra and lost 2nd place close home
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out
held up in touch, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 4 out
tracked leaders and keen early lost place from 4th, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after last, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened halfway
held up behind, headway before 3 out, switched left before last, every chance last 100 yards, went 2nd close home, just held
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no extra run-in
tracked leader, with leader after 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, pressed and jumped right last, kept on gamely run-in, just held on
Makbullet could make no impression in better company over C&D last time but had gone close earlier on this track and should be in the firing-line today. Bowdler's Magic, a decent sort on the Flat, stepped up on his hurdling debut here last time when runner-up to Ingleby Spirit but gives the impression a stiffer test would suit while High Office may also prefer a longer trip having got outpaced when favourite at Catterick last month. LEMON DROP RED travelled strongly and jumped well on his hurdling debut at Kempton, just finding the more experienced Ranjaan too strong on the run-in. A similar performance will see him go one better today. Zaru's future probably lies in handicaps but he could be best of the rest.
Beyond The Tweed 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders and keen, led before 9f out, headed 5f out, weakened over 4f out, last of 15, well behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Bowdler's Magic 9-1 (11-0) Always handy on inner, chased winner from 2 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Ingleby Spirit (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Dark Exile (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division and keen, took closer order halfway, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, well behind The Weatherman (10-9) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
High Office 5-2fav (11-6) In touch, effort after 3 out, kept on run-in, 4th of 15, 10l behind Ginger Grey (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Makbullet 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway on wide outside after 4 out, outpaced next, no impression approaching last, 8th of 11, 9l behind Palawi (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Pas Trop Tard (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching last, never nearer, 6th of 11, 27l behind Into Wain (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Regythelion 66-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, eased 2f out, 10th of 13, 39l behind Emperor Of Rome (8-11) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun (flat).
Smart Ruler (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, some headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 11, 28l behind Barney Cool (10-12) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Zaru (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 12, 33l behind Malt Master (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Just Stripe 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, jumped right 2nd, tailed off from 5th, 10th of 14, well behind Ingleby Spirit (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Abernethy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6th, well held when mistake and demoted to 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 6, 45l behind Kie (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Artisan 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Mica Mika (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Lemon Drop Red (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Soon steadied in touch in 5th, good headway to 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed pressing winner, bumped and pushed right before last, still every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Ranjaan (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Dec.
White Fusion 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, reminders and mistake 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Chadford (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
