Juno The Muffinman won a Southwell maiden by 10 lengths last month but whether he deserves to race off top weight here is open to debate. Party Line was only beaten a head over a similar trip on soft ground at Leicester on his handicap debut and must go on the short-list, despite a 3lb higher mark. But BUSTER BROWN is bred to appreciate middle-distances this year and showed plenty of promise in his first season. He can open his account this evening as the longer trip isn't certain to Running Deer and Somemothersdohavem didn't appear to last home over C&D last week, though is now 5lb lower.
Juno The Muffinman (IRE) 5-6fav (8-5) Led, headed 9f out, led again over 4f out, hung right from 3f out, in command from over 1f out, finished under stand side rail, heavily eased final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) fbs in Mar beating Aliante (8-0) by 10l, 5 ran.
Buster Brown (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders over 5f, 8th of 13, 10l behind Brimstone Hill (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Running Deer (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Took keen hold in touch, pushed along 3f out, hung left over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 4th close home, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Lacily (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo fll mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Totom Chief 9-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 9, 11l behind Expense Claim (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Party Line 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, pressed winner until no extra final strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind Cape Safari (9-10) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Somemothersdohavem 14-1 (9-7) Chased leader, led 8f out, ridden and pressed 3f out, hanging both ways when headed over 2f out, dropped to 3rd soon after, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Nordic Quest (9-6) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Chankillo 9-2 (9-4) Raced keenly, prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Scatter Dice (9-13) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
