tracked leader, every chance before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on to chase winner run-in, no impression
led to 4 out, ridden before last, soon weakened
mid-division, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
always towards rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
towards rear, struggling halfway, soon tailed off, pulled up
held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
behind, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well
NonRunner
Desert Cry’s victory at Bangor last month must have restored his confidence as he followed up at Ayr. Another 5lb rise makes life tough, though he has gone well off similar marks in the past. AINTREE MY DREAM led until the second-last in a Grade 2 at Sandown last time and can pick up the winning thread again here back on his favoured soft ground - a mark of 129 on his handicap debut looks more than fair. Splash of Ginge won over a longer trip here last month but is better known as a chaser, as is Cultram Abbey, and is giving the selection 8lb. Sirop De Menthe could make the frame but looks a few pounds too high.
Splash of Ginge 12-1 (11-12) Always handy, led 8th, headed next, led again 3 out, held on very gamely, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Little Boy Boru (10-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Sirop De Menthe (FR) 13-2 (10-11) Took keen hold, held up and behind, closer approaching 5th, headway on outside into modest 4th before 2 out, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 9, 11l behind Arctic Gold (10-11) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Meister Eckhart (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, in rear, not fluent 8th, outpaced after 3 out, well held after, plugged on flat, 6th of 7, 16l behind Cogry (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Card Game (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, lost place before 7th, soon behind, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Cultram Abbey 7-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway halfway on outer, kept on same pace in 5th from 2 out, 7th of 12, 32 1/2l behind Harry The Viking (10-6) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Very First Time 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, 9th of 10, 24 3/4l behind Clondaw Kaempfer (11-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Aintree My Dream (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, beaten in 4th, mistake last, 4th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Messire Des Obeaux (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Desilvano 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 7th, outpaced after 9th, weakened 3 out, 15th of 16, dist behind Rons Dream (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Maxie T 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place before 4 out, no impression after, 6th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Agincourt Reef (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Dadsintrouble (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, fell 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Desert Cry (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear from 3 out, easily, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Only Orsenfoolsies (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
