Kellys Brow shrugged off an absence to score over a longer trip at Ludlow 12 days ago and Kielan Woods' claim halves the inevitable weight rise. Dontpaytheferryman won't mind the ground and should be thereabouts while Swaledale Lad won by a wide margin at Bangor, though is likely to find this a bit tougher off a 13lb higher mark. RUMBLE OF THUNDER has been running a little better than his form figures suggest considering he's been up against decent handicappers. Now 8lb lower than his last winning mark. Philip Kirby's gelding could be worth an interest today as he was on the heels of Dontpaytheferryman at Musselburgh in January and a long way ahead of Call Back.
Kellys Brow (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway after 6th, mistake 8th, led before 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m 5f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gs in Feb beating Big Society (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until approaching 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, no impression after, 5th of 10, 8l behind Brick Red (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Lady Bluesky 10-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, in a race won by Rock Relief (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Jukebox Melody (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up behind and fell 5th, in a race won by Fill The Power (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May, 11 ran.
White Fusion 2-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 7l behind Crafty Roberto (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Made all, clear approaching 1st until after 4th, clear again before normal 3 out, not fluent last, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb beating Mecox Bay (11-0) by 37l, 8 ran.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, went 5th before 3 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 27l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Call Back 7-2 (11-4) Led, ridden and quickened over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Cousin Khee (11-4) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
