tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden to lead run-in 1f out, kept on
tracked leaders and keen, hit 4th, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders and keen, jumped right 2nd, every chance from 3 out, weakened after last
tracked leader and pulled hard, led and hit 1st, ran wide on bend after 3rd, pulled up
held up towards rear, effort from 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, weakened before last
tracked leaders, left in lead after 3rd, headed 4th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed run-in 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, headway before last, ridden and one pace flat
held up mid-division on outer, hampered 2nd, headway before 2 out, one pace run-in
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, weakening when blundered last
held up mid-division and keen, headway on inner to chase leaders before 4 out, kept on from last
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened from 4 out
held up in rear, headway on inner approaching 2 out, kept on and went 2nd last 50 yards, nearest at finish
held up mid-division, pushed along and struggling from 4 out
led to 1st, tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
This is an interesting opener as Music Of The Moor's saddle slipped when he was pulled up at Newcastle earlier in the month. The way he ground out victory on his hurdling debut at Sandown suggests he'll be suited by this equally stiff track. Jukebox Melody has won bumpers at Market Rasen and Musselburgh this winter and is a potentially useful recruit but it could be worth sticking with PRICELESS ART to continue his winning run. Alan Swinbank's six-year-old has won four of his six starts in bumpers and looks highly progressive. He is probably capable of going on to better things if he takes to hurdles. Bogside and Rumble Of Thunder both ran well last time and are others with scope.
Bogside (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division on outer, headway 4th to chase leaders, challenged and upsides 3 out, soon ridden, no extra after last, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Waldvogel (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Cigalas 200-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, headed 3rd, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Storm Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Daredevil Dan 200-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Storm Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Gin Cobbler 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, ran wide on bend over 3f out, soon lost place, 11th of 12, 38l behind Bygones In Brid (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nat hunt flat (5) gd in Nov.
Jukebox Melody (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, tracked leader over 6f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Jan beating Pyjama Game (11-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
Nisaal (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway on inner over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind All The Winds (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov (flat).
Northern Acres 80-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, some headway into mid-division after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 22l behind Little Hercules (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Priceless Art (IRE) 2-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and led narrowly over 1f out, all out, won at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec beating Jack The Gent (11-0) by hd, 10 ran.
Quel Elite (FR) Subotica gelding out of Jeenly.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Close up, with leader 4th, outpaced before 2 out, kept on to take 3rd after last, one pace, 3rd of 18, 11l behind A Bridge Too Far (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Saga Surprise (FR) 66-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent 1st, mistake next, never dangerous, 10th of 17, well behind Darna (11-11) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
The Galloping Shoe 14-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 14, 48l behind King Fingal (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Why Are You Asking (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Led, clear before 4th until approaching 6th, headed approaching 7th, weakened from next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Railway Dillon (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Music Of The Moor (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, took keen hold, saddle soon slipped, pulled up before 3rd, in a race won by Storm Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Arikinui 66-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened from 4th, 15th of 17, well behind Darna (11-11) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Barello Road 100-1 (10-12) In touch, went right 3rd, soon behind, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind King Fingal (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
