held up, ridden 7th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
held up, pushed along approaching 6th, soon weakened
held up, pushed along after 6th, blundered next, soon weakened
held up, pushed along after 6th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
led until after 2nd, chased leader, hit 5th, weakened approaching last
always prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on well
behind, pushed along halfway, stayed on from 3 out
chased leader, led after 2nd, chased winner approaching 3 out until no extra from last
held up, pushed along to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
towards rear, mid-division after 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner after last, nearest at finish
SCOLBOA MUSIC MAN is nominated here ahead of Cassius, Bracken Lad and Sirkeel. A chance is taken on one of the Irish challengers as this looks a very winnable race. The selection was last seen finishing fourth at Down Royal when running much better than his 66/1 starting price would have suggested. This former winning point-to-pointer looks likely to relish the long straight and any further rain would be welcomed. Sirkeel let down backers last time out when he was dropped back to two miles at Newcastle. He is back up in distance today and should mount a much bolder challenge with the stable still in fair form. Stormin Exit is unexposed but he needs to prove that he wants a test of stamina, so a bigger threat may be Tom's Last Euro who along with Rowdy Rampage should not be ignored. The former is winless in seven but he has not been disgraced in recent Navan races which look stronger than this. Presque Perdre and Cassius, who both found just one too good on their last start, are both to be considered, but the vote is given to Scolboa Music Man.
Beau Regard (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 29l behind Palm Reader (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bracken Lad (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Prominent, led briefly 3 out, stayed on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Prince De Beauchene (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Cassius (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Kempski (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Kings Guard (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Mistakes, always well behind, 8th of 11, well behind Prince De Beauchene (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mister Marker (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, driven and lost place after 5th, behind when fell 3 out in race won by Strokestown (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Parkett Hill 6-1 (12-0) Held up & bhnd; stdy prog 14; wknd aft nxt, 4th of 13, 20l behind Gooner (12-0) at Tranwell 3m ptp gd in Apr '06.
Presque Perdre 40-1 (10-12) Prominent, chased winner 4 out to next, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd again between last 2, no impression, 2nd of 14, 5l behind What A Buzz (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Rowdy Rampage (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 4 out, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, 6th and kept on one pace after, 7th of 17, 22l behind Baily View (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f hdl hvy.
Scolboa Music Man (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 9l behind Baily View (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f hdl hvy.
Sirkeel (FR) 3-1jt-fav (11-4) Led to 2nd, chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 15, 20l behind Mighty Moon (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Stormin Exit (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Led, headed before 7th, stayed prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 12, 32l behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd.
Tom's Last Euro (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 5th entering straight, 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace, 5th of 27, 18l behind Quartetto (11-0) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Lets Go Girls 7-1 (10-10) Towards rear, hit 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from next, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Just Posh (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dancing Dik 40-1 (10-2) Jumped left, in touch, mistake 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 16, 23l behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
