tracked leader, tracked winner from 4th, weakening when blundered 2 out
led to 4th, soon in rear and in touch, ridden and headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
in rear until 4th, outpaced 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, always well held
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 4th, ridden after last, kept on well
KNOCKNAMONA has been thriving on ground with plenty of give. He’s gone up another 7lb but has had a short break since completing a hat-trick at Bangor and may be ready to resume winning ways. Shanroe Street is a winner over hurdles here and has now gone close on a couple of occasions over fences so looks the danger ahead of Buffalo Ballet, who has only one win to his name at Musselburgh despite doing most of his racing here though was well ahead of Strong Economy last time.
Strong Economy (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place halfway, in 4th before last, one pace, 4th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Hills Of Dubai (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Shanroe Street (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and pressed before 3 out, kept on gamely and headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Lochnell (10-13) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Buffalo Ballet 10-3 (11-1) In rear, headway 7 out, chased winner last, kept on and always well held, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Hills Of Dubai (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Knocknamona (IRE) 4-7fav (11-6) Close up, ridden 3 out, headway and every chance next, led last, stayed on, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Manwell (12-7) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
