led to 2nd, close up and effort when hit 4 out, kept on from next
held up, behind when blundered and unseated rider 4th
chased leaders, led 5 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, headway approaching 11th, one pace from 4 out
held up, outpaced approaching 5 out, rallied 3 out, stayed on from last
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, soon detached, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders and keen, pushed along 10th, outpaced 5 out, mistake next, no impression
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced 11th, reminders 13th, never dangerous
led 2nd to 5 out, soon beaten
held up, steady headway 13th, weakened approaching 4 out
behind, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
Shulmin's best runs have come at Sedgefield, whilst Jballingall returns from a long absence and it may pay to concentrate on the course and distance winners. Preference is for a back-to-form NELLIEDONETHAT ahead of Snowy. Backers will need to forgive his latest run at Ayr where he was never at the races and was pulled up fairly early. It is interesting that he is turned out quickly and whilst this mark of 92 demands more improvement (has won off 95 over hurdles), this easier track and quicker ground may see a changed horse. Snowy is a likely danger; Peter Monteith's 11-year-old has not been disgraced in defeat recently and he is not the most-exposed around. Two of his four chase wins have come at the track and he has no problem carrying big weights. Stravagain's recent hurdles run may be boosted by Percutant and Singalongtasveer in our previous race. Arctic Ghost was further back in that race when sporting blinkers, but those are off today, whilst his former stablemate Jballingall is not one to rule out on his comeback, although it would be some training performance if he was to win after 803 days off. Esquillion looks well-handicapped on old form but that was some time ago, and instead we will plump for Nelliedonethat.
Stravaigin 9-2jt-fav (10-11) Prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 4th of 15, 22l behind Percutant (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Arctic Ghost 25-1 (10-10) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakening when hit next, 6th of 15, 34l behind Percutant (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Snowy (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Led until 8th, stayed in touch, ridden 4 out and gradually weakened, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Chrysander (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (4) gs in Feb.
Nelliedonethat (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Held up, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Almire Du Lia (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Shulmin 9-1 (10-4) Held up, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 8th of 12, 47l behind Minella Boys (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, headed 2nd, led again 4th, headed 12th, ridden and weakened from 13th, 6th of 12, 47l behind Nelliedonethat (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Jan.
Baker Flinn (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Behind, trailing when reminders 7th, kept on same pace from 5 out, 12th of 20, 44l behind Glenfolan (10-13) at Naas 3m hcp chs 0-109 gd in Nov '07.
Esquillon 50-1 (11-12) Behind, struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Toy Gun (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Mr Twins (ARG) 7-1 (11-2) Led, headed 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 27l behind Mitchel Henry (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb.
Grand Manner (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up, weakened from 5 out, 8th of 10, 24l behind Prophete de Guye (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Jballingall 5-2fav (10-6) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on from next, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Roadworthy (10-9) at Ayr 2m cnd hcp hdl (5) hvy in Dec '06.
Hickory Lane 11-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, went 3rd approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 7, 25l behind Storm Surge (10-6) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
King's Envoy (USA) 100-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, ridden 11th, beaten when fell 4 out in race won by Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
