tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked clear leader, led 7th, ridden 2 out, headed last, weakened flat
held up mid division, headway to chase leader 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
hung right throughout, held up in rear, bad mistake 7th, headway approaching 2 out, every chance last, ridden and not quicken flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon chased leader, lead last, driven out
keen, led, clear after 2nd, headed 7th, short of room approaching 3 out, soon weakened
BILLIE MAGERN, a full-brother to Ollie Magern, can land this novice hurdle after a pleasing return to action last month. Having lead for most of the journey he was comprehensively beaten by the eventual winner but considering it was his first outing over hurdles and his jumping was satisfactory in the main, he should take all the beating. Answer Me was strongly supported to win last time but found the promising Fresh Air And Fun too good. He drops back in trip here and given his running style looks the biggest danger to Billie Magern. Three Thieves was moderate on the flat and showed little on his hurdling debut. Sea Cliff makes his UK debut here having raced for Niall Madden on the flat in Ireland. The trip is an unknown where he is concerned and handicaps are where his future may lie. It looks a match between Billie Magern and Answer Me on paper and we will side with the former.
Answer Me (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, beaten when left 3rd approaching 2 out, mistake last, took 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Fresh Air And Fun (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) sft in Sept.
Billie Magern 12-1 (10-13) Led 2nd, headed just before 2 out, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Great Endeavour (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Bob Shilling (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Close up when fell at the 2nd in race won by Weather Front (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs, 12 ran.
Regal Quote (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Keen early, always towards rear, 10th of 11, well behind Isn't That Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Sea Cliff (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, no danger from 5 out, 17th of 19, well behind More Sport (11-10) at Tralee 2m 1f hacp hdl gd in May.
Three Thieves (UAE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon struggling, 7th of 13, 28l behind Oceana Gold (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Northern Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, always well in rear, tailed off after 5th, 9th of 12, well behind Argento Luna (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
