towards rear, pushed along 12th, ridden and headway from 3 out, 4th last, ran on well under pressure to lead close home
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, never on terms
mid-division, took closer order 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway 13th, chased leader 3 out, one and a half lengths down when blundered, hampered and unseated rider next
mid-division, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up before 10th
in rear, outpaced halfway, ridden 3 out, stayed on well from next, nearest finish
in touch, ridden and lost place 13th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 8th, weakening when hit 12th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 11th, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, ridden 3 out, hit next, no impression
chased leaders, headway 13th, challenged when mistake 4 out, soon led, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, headed close home, no extra
led after 1st, mistake 8th, hit 4 out, soon headed, ridden and kept on one pace from next
led to after 1st, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
prominent, disputed lead from 9th, outpaced 4 out, under pressure when blundered and unseated rider next
A competitive opener to the card that can be taken by locally trained Gangsters R Us, while Next To Nothing and Ballystone can give him most to do. The selection comes into the race in fine form, having landed a hat-trick of Musselburgh handicaps on his three latest outings. He sees out this trip well and although he has won on heavy, it is likely that he would prefer the ground to get no softer than it is at present to show his best form. Despite being a local, he has run only once here thus far, but he has handled plenty of different tracks and so that should not put us off. A 10lb rise would be more likely to have us looking elsewhere, but the manner of those wins at Musselburgh mark him out as a progressive sort, so he can handle the extra burden here with a nice racing weight. Next To Nothing has to give the selection 4lb and that could be the decisive factor. Nicky Richards' runner is also open to improvement after just six career starts to date. The Bob's Return gelding has a good ground course and distance win to his name, stays all day, and should go very well. Another course winner is Ballystone, who was successful over 3m 2f here over fences and also has a long distance hurdles win at the track to his name. The Roselier gelding seems to go on any ground and over a variety of trips, and with a 3lb drop to help him here he can also make the frame. Of the remainder, Robbo is talented but very difficult to catch right, while course specialist Curly Spencer, another inmate of Andrew Parker's yard would have a chance if he sees out the trip, though he patently prefers half a mile shorter. The selection then, is Gangsters R Us.
