prominent, quickly lost place and pulled up before 4th
held up, pushed along and headway 3 out, kept on from last
held up in touch, not fluent 3 out, one pace from last
held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, no impression from 2 out
with leader, weakened approaching 1 out
led, jumped right 3rd, headed flat, kept on same pace
close up, challenged 2 out, no extra flat
held up, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, outpaced 5th, kept on from last
McMURROUGH sets a good standard here and looks the one to beat, with the main dangers expected to be Skylancer and Jewelled Dagger. Malcolm Jefferson's got a good strike rate at the course, and his dual bumper winner was very well supported last time out at Carlisle, but was only runner up. The sixth month lay-off has probably done him the world of good and he may have needed that pipe-opener. He's rated well above his rivals here who have a mark. Skylancer won last time out to break his duck over hurdles at the eighth time of asking, but he's been far from consistent, with one or two question marks about his temperament. He's also got to give away plenty of weight all round. Jewelled Dagger is having only his second go over hurdles, and showed up well on debut last month to be placed over this trip at Perth. He's had a disappointing year on the flat, having previously been rated as high as 93, but it looks like the change of code may have rejuvenated him. Support for Inspector Clouseau may be significant as he makes his hurdling debut. Quite a few of these have their form figures littered with Ps and Us, but our support goes to McMurrough.
Skylancer 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, challenged when jumped right and mistake 2 out, led approaching last when again jumped right, hung left flat, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep beating Overrule (11-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Alpine Warrior 33-1 (11-7) Behind, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Van Ness (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in May, 13 ran.
Darfour 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Dark Energy (11-0) at Perth 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Ergo (FR) 5-1fav (11-11) Held up behind, headway 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, went 2nd toward finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Sea Cove (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Inspector Clouseau (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Soon tracking leader, lost place over 3f out, 7th of 8, 31l behind Spirit of Adjisa (10-1) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep (flat).
Jewelled Dagger (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Mesbaah (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Kosta Brava (FR) 40-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 15th of 18, well behind Lidar (10-8) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (2) gf in Feb.
McMurrough (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Alvarado (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Noble Vic (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Alvarado (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf, 12 ran.
Piccolo Pride 200-1 (10-9) Prominent, raced keenly, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3rd, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Skylancer (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep, 12 ran.
Tutto Bene (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Led and keen, headed after 4f, weakened over 6f out, virtually pulled up, last of 11, well behind Born To Perform (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Waldo Winchester (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, ran out 4th, in a race won by Benmadigan (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 11 ran.
