held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd 2 out, led after last, stayed on
held up in rear, outpaced when blundered 4 out, weakened next
in touch, tracked leader 7th, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed after last, no extra
led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, eased flat
chased leaders, lost place halfway, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader to 7th, remained in touch, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no impression on first 2 approaching last
Miss Shakira can get the better of Aberdare, with Topanberry and Nobodys Perfect worth a mention. Nigel Twiston-Davies is worth following on his sorties up to the Scottish track, and indeed had a double on this card last year including the winner of this race, Petite Margot. Miss Shakira should make a bold bid to add to the record based on what she has shown so far under rules. Successful twice in Irish point-to-points, the daughter of Executive Perk has plenty of stamina in her make-up, so the step up in trip should help her go one better than when second to Malay at Worcester, and she is fancied to open her account here. Aberdare has not been disgraced since being sent hurdling, and is another that will not mind the trip or ground, but she does have to concede six-pound to the selection. In addition she is not certain to maintain recent Kelso form over Topanberry on today's terms, while Nobodys Perfect had no chance with the progressive La Perrotine at Sedgefield and is entitled to a mention as well. For the winner we return to Miss Shakira.
Aberdare 11-1 Mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 12, 11l behind Vic The Piler at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
Gemini Lady 150-1 Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression when fell at the last in race won by Admiral at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Minster Fair 20-1 Whipped round start, towards rear, hampered 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jordan's Ridge at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs, 19 ran.
Miss Shakira (IRE) 9-4jt-fav Always prominent, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 7l behind Malay at Worcester 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (F) gd.
Nobodys Perfect (IRE) 20-1 Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden between last 2, kept on flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind La Perrotine at Sedgefield 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Topanberry (IRE) 8-1 Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, every chance last, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Vic The Piler at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
