held up in touch, headway approaching 6th, led after 4 out, clear after last
with leader, hit 6th, led 4 out, soon headed, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
led, headed 4 out, weakened approaching next
in rear, reminder after 5th, weakened after 6th
tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, edged left after last, one pace
held up, weakened after 6th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up, weakened after 6th
chased leaders, weakened from 2 out
These races are traditionally quite weak so CHASING CLOUDS can be backed with plenty of confidence although Just Maddie and Aibrean are worthy of interest. Jimmy Lambe's filly is still a maiden but she has produced some fair form in Ireland under similarly testing conditions and should be capable of securing that overdue first success. Just Maddie belied odds of 150/1 to finish third in a Musselburgh event. The mare had taken on much better grade previously so maybe that price was an overreaction in spite of those cumulative distances. Aibrean was unfancied under rules debut though that was something of a surprise given she had won a month earlier between the flags. This will not be an easy task to give away a winners' penalty. James Ewart has his yard in good order so Tchikita has to come into the reckoning. Wheyaye won a Sedgefield bumper on soft going but looks to have a couple of questions to answer on the basis of recent form. A race of limited punting appeal but Chasing Clouds secures our nod.
Aibrean (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd before 7th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Aint She The Lady (10-10) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Chasing Clouds (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, chased leaders and going well from 4 out, chased winner approaching 3 out, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Smuglin (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Just Maddie 150-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, joined 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Annie May (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Molly Mischief 100-1 (10-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 15, well behind Smuglin (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Tchikita (FR) April Night mare out of Tchi Tchi Bang Bang.
Tempo Sound 200-1 (10-9) In touch, led 1st to 3rd, chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Annie May (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Thistledown Rose 100-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 9, well behind Battle Group (11-0) at Perth 2m NH flat (5) gd in Jul.
Wheyaye 11-4 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 7th, weakened between last 2, 5th of 10, 17l behind Aibrean (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
