led, went clear bypassing omitted 6th, ridden and headed bypassing last, stayed on same pace
detached throughout, pulled up after jumping the last (normal 3 out)
off the pace in last pair, mistake 2 out (normal 4 out), no chance when brought down last (normal 3 out)
soon off off the pace in 5th, left remote 4th at the last (normal 3 out) never on terms, tailed off
held up, closer in 4th at 2nd, went 2nd bypassing omitted 2 out, led bypassing last, stayed on well (both hurdles omitted in home straight on both circuits due to low sun, 6 hurdles jumped in total)
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, struggling in 5th when fell last, (normal 3 out)
chased leading pair, went 2nd at 3rd until bypassing omitted 2 out, no extra in 3rd
MORTLACH carries a double penalty but a 7lb claimer reduces his burden and he may enjoy a fitness advantage over Tough Out, not seen since pulling up here in April. Whelans Bridge was behind the latter at Newcastle in March while winning pointer Serious Operator has been well beaten in previous starts under Rules.
Mortlach 4-9fav (11-7) Led, edged right 1st, headed briefly approaching 2 out, soon led again, went clear before last, ran on well, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Sep beating Dame De Fortune (11-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Hackberry 10-1 (10-0) Midfield, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Wynford (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Magic Mike (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, well beaten after 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Our Marty (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Mrindependant 250-1 (11-0) Slow 1st, mid-division, not fluent and effort 3 out, lost place before 2 out, 7th of 8, 27 1/4l behind Our Marty (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Serious Operator (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Mid-div, 5th from 4th, 4th aftr 6out, prog in 3rd aftr 4out, ld 3out, 2l 2nd gng best aftr 2out, ko, won at Dromahane 3m Good - Yielding in May beating Ik's Man (12-2) by shd, 7 ran.
Tough Out (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Midfield, closer after 5th, pushed along and weakened after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Whelans Bridge (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Prominent, close up 2 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, narrow advantage last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Git Maker (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f (4) gd in Apr.
