always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
slowly away, in rear, mistake 3rd, no chance after 3 out, tailed off when fell last
mid-division, headway 3 out, led approaching last, ridden clear flat (no time taken)
led after 1st until next, chased leader to 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, never dangerous
led, raced keenly, headed after 1st, regained lead next, hit 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace
prominent, went 2nd 5th, every chance 2 out, weakening when not fluent last
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place 5th, headway approaching 2 out, no impression on leaders
Bold Pioneer is only 2lbs higher than when successful in this contest two years ago but he has only had two starts since then and has yet to prove his ability on a soft surface and preference is for PRIORYJO, who gets the vote over Ginger's Lad. Mick Easterby's gelding is less exposed than his rivals after just six starts and he has to be respected being dropped into a seller for the first time on his handicap debut but he has been well held in all outings so far. George Moore's Lifes A Mystery is similarly lightly raced but has been well held in his last two starts in handicaps including on a softish surface last time and he is hard to back with any confidence. Chris Grant's Mardood remains a maiden after 12 starts but cannot be discounted in such a poor contest, although more solid claims are held by Prioryjo. Martin Todhunter's mare has gone well with some cut in the ground before and comes into this in better form than her opponents so she looks worth siding with in this event.
Bombie Boy 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced when mistake and pecked 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Etoile d'Or (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 15 ran.
Still Calm 66-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 4 out, driven to chase leaders after next, no impression approaching last, 4th of 13, 30l behind Bivouac (10-12) at Kelso 2m hcp chs 0-105 (5) gs.
Prioryjo 7-1 (11-8) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to chase winner between last 2, lost place last, no extra, 4th of 15, 13l behind Etoile d'Or (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Ginger's Lad 33-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 16, 31l behind Solway Sunset (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Skye But N Ben 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Hawksbury Heights (11-5) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Oct '08.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 9-1 (11-1) In rear, some headway bend approaching 2 out, ridden, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 31l behind Posh Emily (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Titfer (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, no chance before 3 out, 7th of 13, 34l behind Roisin's Prince (10-12) at Towcester 2m sell hdl (5) gs.
Mardood 14-1 (10-4) Towards rear, short lived effort approaching last, no impression flat, 5th of 11, 10l behind Mr Midaz (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Lifes A Mystery (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Chased winner, lost place after 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 15, 15l behind Etoile d'Or (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
