in rear but in touch, headway 11th, joined winner and blundered 5 out, led soon after, headed 4 out, one pace
led, blundered 9th and headed, lost place and in rear from 5 out
tracked leaders and keen, led 9th, headed after 5 out, led again 4 out, kept on well
tracked leader until 9th, mistake 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
Ballymacduff's form over fences is modest but he was still in front when falling in Baaher's race over C&D in November and he did run Markadam close over this trip over hurdles here last time. The latter races off the same mark today and should go close if handling the bigger obstacles but RED TANBER is on a bit of roll after back-to-backs wins on this track. He has the beating of Baaher on the form book and, though he's gone up in the weights, Lucy Alexander again takes off 5lb and Bruce Mactaggart's nine-year-old can complete the hat-trick. This looks a bit sharp for Copper's Gold nowadays but he has a good record at Musselburgh and shouldn't be left out of calculations.
Baaher (USA) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 48l behind Red Tanber (9-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Ballymacduff (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Keen early, tracked leaders, joined leader 8th, led before 2 out, ridden and edged left after last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Markadam (10-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Red Tanber (IRE) 3-1fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5 out, led last, kept on well flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec beating Otto Quercus (10-10) by 4l, 9 ran.
Markadam 28-1 (10-2) Led or disputed lead, lost place 8th, outpaced before 3 out, ridden to chase leader when edged right approaching last, led flat, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd beating Ballymacduff (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Copper's Gold (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Led, strongly challenged 2 out, headed last, soon rallied, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Canal Bank (11-10) at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
