made all, clear to before omitted 3 out, drew clear again 2 out, unchallenged when mistake last, comfortably
held up behind, headway under pressure before 2 out, ridden last, stayed on to take modest 3rd towards finish, no chance with front pair
mid-division, close up in main group after 2nd, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
chased clear leader (winner) throughout, close up before omitted 3 out, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on but no chance after
in touch main group, ridden and lost place when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, outpaced before 2 out, never dangerous
in touch main group, driven to chase front pair before 2 out, soon one pace, never on terms, lost modest 3rd towards finish
slowly away, always in rear
chased clear leaders, lost place before 4th, soon towards rear and outpaced, ridden and stayed on to dispute modest 3rd flat, no chance with leaders
Smart hurdlers Moon Racer and Ballyandy fought out the finish of this last year but none of this bunch look up to that standard. Ballyandy’s trainer runs Snobbery, a winner over 1m4f on Tapeta for Roger Charlton. He’s certainly one of the more interesting contenders but is Flat-bred so we’ll stick with the experience of GOLDEN JEFFREY, who took a step forward when beating a good yardstick at Cartmel and can defy his penalty. Trongate has shown some ability but Hello Bertie, favourite when third in a Southwell bumper in May, has more scope.
Golden Jeffrey (SWI) 2-1 (10-11) Led until after 4th, not much room on inside briefly well before last, soon driven, led again final 150 yards, held on, won at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gs in Aug beating Knockmaole Boy (12-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Budarri 100-1 (9-13) Dwelt, raced wide, held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Aclimatise (9-5) at Thirsk 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Jul.
Chasseur De Tete (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Raced wide, in last pair, struggling final 6f, tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Mayo Star (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Hello Bertie 6-5fav (11-2) In touch in mid-division, closed 8f out, 2nd over 2f out until inside final furlong, edged left and held in 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Whoshotwho (11-2) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in May.
Rapid Fritz (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) In rear, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 30 1/2l behind Silva Eclipse (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Sep.
Rossamilan (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, outpaced from 4 out, last of 7, dist behind Silva Eclipse (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Sep.
Snobbery (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Dwelt in rear, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on towards finish, not reach leaders, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Modernism (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Southsea Island (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In rear early, progress from halfway, closer 5th when stumbled and fell a few strides after 3 out, at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Feb.
Trongate (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 15, dist behind Beer Goggles (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Tectonic (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Towards rear, some headway 5f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 34 1/2l behind Chebsey Beau (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Shesthebusiness 100-1 (10-5) In rear, jumped badly right 1st, unseated rider 2nd, at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Sep.
