held up towards rear, went 3rd before 9th, ridden before 4 out, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders, mistake and reminder 5th, soon lost place,mistake 7th, hit 11th, went poor 4th 5 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders and keen, weakened from 9th
led, headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, pushed along 9th, soon strugling, fell 2 out
tracked leader, led 3 out, soon clear, easily
in rear and mistakes, never a factor, pulled up
It could be worth following Richard Johnson here today and he can steer OUR ISLAND to a second successive victory in this. Tim Vaughan's gelding didn't have a lot of luck over fences last term but put that right on his reappearance at Kelso when beating Micro Mission by three-quarters-of-a-length. The runner-up has an obvious chance of reversing the form on 5lb better terms but that win will have boosted the selection's confidence and he can confirm placings. Fill The Power made a winning start over fences at Sedgefield and can go on to better things but Brady went backwards over hurdles over the summer and the remainder are all returning from a break of sorts.
Fill The Power (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) In touch, went 2nd from 13th, ridden to challenge and bumped 2 out, led before last, kept on well, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May beating Flinty Bay (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Our Island (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader until 6th, ridden to lead before 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 7f nov chs (4) hvy in Oct beating Micro Mission (10-8) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Armedanddangerous (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 43l behind Mountainous (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Brady (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Led from 2nd, headed before 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Quinsman (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Knockando 12-1 (11-10) Led until before 3rd, losing place when mistake 8th, behind next, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Papamoa (10-6) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Held up in mid-division on inside, not fluent 6th, headway before 3 out, soon driven and no impression, poor 8th when eased before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 44l behind Theologist (9-13) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Micro Mission (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 6th, led 12th, headed and mistake next, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Our Island (11-4) at Kelso 2m 7f nov chs (4) hvy in Oct.
