led to 3rd, tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
towards rear, pulled up before 5th
mid-division, went 3rd before 6th, went 2nd before 8th, ridden and chance last, kept on and held near finish
towards rear, pushed along before 8th, weakened from 5 out
close up, not fluent 5th, blundered 8th, ridden before last, weakened run-in
chased leaders, led 3rd, ridden before last, held on near finish
held up in rear, mistake 6th, went 4th before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish
Nautical Twilight went up 4lb for her victory at Newcastle but it made no difference as she gained a very impressive success here a couple of weeks later. She's up another 8lb and this is a better race but she's progressive enough to get involved again. AYE WELL (NAP) was attempting to concede Chestnut Ben 16lb when just touched off at Musselburgh and though the veteran of this line-up he is well up to the class and can concede weight all round. Ever So Much has done best on quicker ground but Star Presenter was a comfortable winner of a lower-grade handicap here last month and a 7lb rise shouldn't pose too much of a problem. Uno Valoroso has twice been narrowly beaten here in recent weeks from this mark and deserves a change of fortune.
Aye Well 6-1 (11-8) Led, ridden after 3 out, hard pressed flat, kept on until headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Chestnut Ben (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Only Orsenfoolsies 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, went 3rd before 4 out, one pace and lost 3rd place after last, last of 4, 15l behind L'Ami Serge (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Nautical Twilight 3-1 (11-0) Patiently ridden in touch, smooth headway 3 out, led on bit at last, soon clear, impressive, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Oficial Ben (10-8) by 10l, 7 ran.
Ever So Much (IRE) 18-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, fell 5 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Uno Valoroso (FR) 11-2 (10-11) With leader, led 3rd until after next, tracked winner, mistake 6th, outpaced 4 out, ridden after 2 out, 5 lengths down in 2nd last, stayed on well flat, gaining towards finish, just held, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Cloudy Joker (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Star Presenter (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Held up in touch on outside, close up 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, clear when not fluent last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Bollin Line (10-11) by 7l, 8 ran.
Money For Nothing 7-2 (11-2) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 5th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before last, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.