tracked leader, badly outpaced 6 out, headway before 4 out, challenged 2 out, kept on to lead last 50 yards, held on close home
in touch, weakened before 3 out, fell 3 out
led, ridden and headed before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up
towards rear, headway 6 out, weakened before last
in rear, headway before 15th, led before 4 out, headed last 50 yards, kept on and held close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place 13th, tailed off 15th, pulled up
Kilbree Chief won this a year ago and is only 1lb higher but didn't run so well here last month and will need to do better against-in-form rivals. Jonny Eager was a long way behind in this last year but has gradually improved and was an impressive winner over the track and trip last month. He has an 11lb rise to contend with and NAKDAM may have his measure. Mike Smith's charge, runner-up a year ago and worse off at the weights, has definitely made good progress and went one better in a stronger contest at Kelso next time. He was racing over a trip too short when runner-up here later and can get back to winning ways. Finaghy Ayr won over hurdles at Carlisle in November and completed a double when defying several mistakes over slightly shorter in a chase earlier this month so he's not out of this tight little handicap.
Kilbree Chief (IRE) 10-3 (12-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along 6 out, went 3rd before 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Jonny Eager (10-11) at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Sevenballs Of Fire (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) In touch in 4th, badly outpaced and struggling from 7 out, plugged on from 3 out, never dangerous, 2nd of 5, 19l behind Newtown Lad (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Jonny Eager (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, clear before 4 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Settledoutofcourt (10-9) by 9l, 7 ran.
Nakadam (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 6 out, ridden before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind The Orange Rogue (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Finaghy Ayr (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th or 7th, mistake 11th, headway before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, stayed on, won at Carlisle 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Landmeafortune (11-6) by 1l, 11 ran.
Smuggler's Stash (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, ridden 12th, one pace and no impression before 2 out, 4th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Finaghy Ayr (11-3) at Carlisle 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
