behind from 5th, pulled up when tailed off approaching 3 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened from 3 out
close up, weakened after 3 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders and going well from 4 out, chased winner approaching 3 out, one pace approaching last
held up behind, some headway 4 out, mistake next, never dangerous
held up in touch, no impression from 3 out
held up in touch, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, weakened from 7th
towards rear, never dangerous
close up, lost place from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 7th, weakened 4 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, clear approaching last, driven out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
A moderate enough affair with SMUGLIN suggested to have the edge over Starbougg, Smart Mistress and Chasing Clouds. The selection hails from the Donald McCain stable, who have really got going in recent weeks, and she has the sort of profile that looks very competitive in this sphere. A soft ground lover, she stays at least as far as this, and will find it easier than some of the handicaps in which she performed well last season, so we will side with her. Starbougg should relish conditions and is rated to be bang there in this class of race. However, Keith Reveley's five-year-old has found a first win elusive despite some good efforts in defeat, and it remains to be seen if a recent flat spin will help her today. Smart Mistress has run well enough in points and should be at home on the ground, and with Ferdy Murphy's string hitting form she is not discounted, while Chasing Clouds will find this less competitive than the Listowel maiden she contested in September and the market can give us a good guide where her chance is concerned. Basford Lass won a soft ground Sedgefield bumper and wouldn't have to improve much to take a hand, but for today we will side with Smuglin.
Alice Knight (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Always behind, struggling from halfway, 11th of 14, well behind Premier Sagas (11-4) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Basford Lass 100-1 (10-12) Held up well in rear, struggling over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, never dangerous, 10th of 20, 22l behind Candy Creek (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr.
Blazing Diva (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) In touch, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 5th of 13, 28l behind Daurica (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Chasing Clouds (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, 2nd before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 18, 8l behind Truxton King (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Sep.
Easter Queen 40-1 (10-5) Always in rear, 9th of 14, well behind Going Wrong (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Hot Native (IRE) 125-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, 6th of 12, 45l behind Now This Is It (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Iwillifican (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 6f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Lucky William (11-11) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat gd in Oct.
Kilroosty (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, weakened halfway, 11th of 15, 46l behind Birch Hill Bedouin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Middleham Meg 66-1 (10-5) Led, headed over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 17, 9l behind Knockaveen (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
Molly Mischief 33-1 (10-7) Led to 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 37l behind Canadian Blaze (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Moscow Mischief 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, soon ridden and headed 2f out and gradually weakened, 6th of 12, 24l behind Gilbarry (10-9) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Shambery 300-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 6th of 13, well behind Quincy Des Pictons (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Smart Mistress 14-1 (11-7) Prom; rdn & ev ch 2 out; nt qckn app last, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Beau Sam (11-7) at Dingley 3m ptp in May '08.
Smuglin 2-1fav (9-12) Held up, headway before 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 11, 29l behind Elzahann (10-11) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Starbougg 7-2 (10-5) Towards rear, headway halfway, outpaced 11th, rallied 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 18l behind Bleu Pois (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (4) gd in Apr.
Aibrean (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Alw pr, cl 3rd 3out, chall 2out, ld last & mstk, ko best up, won at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp sft in Oct beating Coolcalm (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
