prominent, challenged before 4 out, soon led, ridden before last, kept on well run-in
in rear and outpaced, ran in snatches, headway before 6 out, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened
led, unseated rider 7th
held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
in rear, headway before 4 out, soon went 2nd, not fluent 2 out, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, outpaced before 6 out, plugged on from 2 out
tracked leaders, left in lead 7th, headed before 4 out, in 3rd before 2 out, one pace
Smuggler's Stash returned to winning ways over course and distance last month with Gibbstown well beaten and is 4lb higher today. Dick Darsie failed to complete off today’s mark last time having won at Wetherby on Boxing Day but Nelly La Rue finally showed some improvement for a tumble down the handicap when runner-up at Musselburgh and races from out of the weights once again. But MASSINI’S LADY (NAP) is the least exposed over fences and won easily at Wetherby last month on only her second attempt. Neil Alexander’s mare gets the vote to go in again with further progress expected.
Smuggler's Stash (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led before 9th, pressed before 3 out, kept on and held towards finish, won at Ayr 3m hcp (5) hvy in Feb beating Finaghy Ayr (12-1) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Dick Darsie (IRE) 85-40fav (11-1) Mid-division, reminders halfway, soon struggling, pulled up, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Chicago Outfit (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, outpaced 7th, pulled up after next, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Gibbstown (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 9th, every chance before 3 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 8, 23 3/4l behind Smuggler's Stash (11-9) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Moorstown (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 11th, pulled up, at Ayr 3m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Massini's Lady 10-3 (10-3) Made all, not fluent 3 out, clear from 2 out, won at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Flemerina (11-10) by 11l, 5 ran.
Nelly La Rue (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, reminders and outpaced by clear pair after 11th, ridden after 4 out, headway under pressure to go 2nd 2 out, kept on well flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind The Last Bridge (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
