led, headed halfway, led again over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, raced keenly, behind final 7f
held up in touch, challenged 3f out, weakened 1f out
always behind
mid-division, driven 6f out, progress over 3f out, no impression
prominent, challenged over 3f out, weakened 2f out
with leader, led halfway, headed over 3f out, soon struggling
held up, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up mid-division, headway halfway, led over 2f out, ran green and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in touch, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on over 2f out, soon no impression
in rear, pushed along after 3f, behind final 7f
Our Brian is preferred to Randolf and New Dancer. Malcolm Jefferson has his bumper horses in really good order at present and this one showed more than enough promise on debut to get the vote today. He was beaten just over 12 lengths into fifth at Bangor but there were plenty of positives to be taken from the performance and the experience should stand him in good stead. Randolf was well held in decent contests on his first two starts but posted an improved performance over course and distance last time. The field were well strung out behind him and he has a clear chance of going one better. New Dancer is entitled to come on for his run in January but it's never easy to carry a penalty to success in these contests and he looks vulnerable. A market check is essential but Our Brian will do for us at this stage.
New Dancer 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division and keen early, headway to chase winner over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 15, 14l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Our Brian (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up, headway over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 12, 13l behind In Vino (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) gd.
Over The Border 20-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway from halfway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden and no impression, 5th of 15, 25l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
To The Wind 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 7f out, soon lost place, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Northern Blaze (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Bumble Rose (IRE) Kornado mare, half-sister to 1m3f-1m4f winner Blaue Woge and useful hurdler Backboard.
Friend To All 33-1 (10-10) Held up, kept on final 3f, 6th of 13, 15l behind Touch of Irish (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Time For Tara 12-1 (11-2) Always behind, 13th of 15, well behind Primrose Time (11-2) at Kelso 2m mrs nhf (5) sft in Feb.
Verannika Heron Island mare, half-sister to winning hurdler/chaser Natural Storm.
Calm Seas (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place 8f out, 10th of 19, 49l behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Hollins Lost Soldier gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Bedara.
Pourdel (FR) Daliapour gelding, half-brother to French sprint winner Codroutza.
Eden Vixen (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) unseated rider in race won by Elzahann (10-9) at Catterick 2m mrs nhf (6) gf, 16 ran.
Cloudy Times (IRE) Cloudings gelding, related to numerous winners from 6f-1m2f.
Going Wrong Bob Back gelding out of winning hurdler/chaser Lucy Glitters.
Pekin (FR) Useful gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/chaser Bayokos and hurdler Bayonnelle.
Randolf (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased winner over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 19, 2l behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
