close up, ridden 5th, mistake next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up well in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, smooth headway to track leaders 4 out, led soon after 2 out, soon clear and in command
in touch, went 3rd at 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden to lead 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, weakened over 1 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
Proper Article fell on his first start over hurdles for Evan Williams at Bangor last month and it may be too early to write him off but a safer bet looks to be JOE JO STAR, who gets the vote with Picky rated the best of the rest. The selection probably found the ground quicker than ideal at Musselburgh at the beginning of the month but his earlier form at the same venue is solid and Richard Fahey's gelding may be worth another chance off the same mark as on his last two starts. Kyathos has been given a chance by the handicapper but is hard to back on recent form, while Tampa Boy has been well held in his latest starts over hurdles and on the flat. Prize Fighter is a rare runner over hurdles for Alan Berry but needs to run better here than at Haydock last time in January and of more interest may be Bedizen. Pam Sly's gelding was good value for his win at Wetherby on Boxing Day and has claims on that form but he was disappointing at Kempton last month and may now be a shade high in the weights. Chris Bealby's Picky ran way below expectations at Kempton when last seen in November and may do better following a break but preference is for the in-form Joe Jo Star, who is taken to resume winning ways.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Held up, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, well behind Songe (11-6) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Bedizen 14-1 (11-12) In rear, hit 1st and 2nd, tailed off 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Hohlethelonely (10-9) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
Joe Jo Star 9-2fav (11-1) Held up, headway and going well in 4th when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, 4th of 13, 11l behind Toshi (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Proper Article (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) With leader, led narrowly when fell 4 out in race won by Naughty By Nature (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Tampa Boy (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, 12th of 20, 23l behind Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Picky 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakening 2 out, 12th of 13, 33l behind King Gabriel (10-5) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Kyathos (GER) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 26l behind Monroe Gold (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
