BOTHAM bids for his hat-trick and looks to have every chance of landing it given he's a winner without a penalty after landing an apprentice race at Hamilton last time. A good run in the previous race from runner-up Brockfield would boost confidence and Jim Goldie's charge gets the vote. Market Puzzle also arrives in good form having won two of his last three starts over 1m2f and could figure along with Deep Applause. The latter was second to Smart Step, who also runs in the first division of this, at Carlisle last month while Carragold can also figure back on soft ground.
Mighty Clarets (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Tracked winner, ridden and hung right over 2f out, driven to regain 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Royal Opera (8-13) at Leicester 1m 2f Classified Claiming Stakes (0-75) (3-4yo) (6) gd in Sep.
Botham (USA) 9-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway on outer over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on, won at Hamilton 1m 1f app hcp (6) sft in Sep beating Croix Rouge (9-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Carragold 33-1 (8-4) Raced centre, tracked leader, merged with far side 5f out, chased leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 22, 7l behind Arabian Star (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Petomic (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, 18l behind Botham (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sep.
Focail Maith 14-1 (8-4) In touch on inside, ridden over 3f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 7th of 12, 9l behind Sure Route (9-4) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
On The Cusp (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Led, driven and headed 2f out, weakening when edged right inside final 2f, 12th of 14, 19l behind Just The Tonic (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Market Puzzle (IRE) 22-1 (8-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd 6f out, going well when rider delayed challenge over 1f out until kidded into lead inside final furlong, very good ride from inexperienced rider, won at Haydock 1m 2f all hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep beating Sharp Sovereign (9-6) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Deep Applause 5-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Damascus Symphony (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sep.
Kool Shuffle (GER) 11-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 21l behind Ted's Brother (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Little Bob 12-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 3f out, under pressure entering final furlong, held on close home, won at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) hvy in Nov '07 beating Thunderwing (8-13) by hd, 13 ran.
Piper's Song (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Slowly away in rear, never on terms, 6th of 12, 7l behind Emeralds Spirit (9-9) at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sep.
