pressed winner, challenged 2 out, switched left before last, no impression towards finish
held up towards rear, headway on outside before 5th, pushed along after 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders on outside, lost place before 2nd, outpaced before 5th, behind 3 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied into 3rd last, no impression on front pair
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon held, stayed on same pace
led, jumped right 3rd, pressed 2 out, soon edged right, stayed on flat, ridden out
chased leaders, lost place before 5th, well beaten after 3 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
Set In Stone won a mares’ only hurdle at Musselburgh last month while The Steward scored at the same track more recently with Silkstone back in third. But both step up a grade for this but DEMI SANG (NAP) makes more appeal having won at this level when successful at Wetherby on Boxing Day. The latter can effectively race off a lower mark with a conditional’s allowance taken into account and can go in again. Baraboy and Fame Valley finished runner-up on their latest starts with the latter’s effort at Ayr looking the stronger form.
Demi Sang (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Pressed leader, led travelling strongly before 3 out, ridden clear before 2 out, reduced advantage last, headed flat, stayed on strongly to lead final strides, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Kihavah (11-7) by hd, 10 ran.
Set In Stone (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place after 3rd, closed from 5th, led 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Gemologist (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Up With The Play (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up, niggled along before 2nd, dropped to last after 3rd, lost touch under 3 out, 8th of 14, 30 1/4l behind Alright Marlene (11-4) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Phoenix Strike 125-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders early, in touch after 2nd, pushed along and dropped to rear 4 out, 10th of 12, 36 1/4l behind Donny Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Silkstone (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, slow 2nd, mistake 4th, slightly hampered 5th, headway and jumped left 2 out, 3rd when mistake last, unable to get on terms, 3rd of 12, 5 1/4l behind The Steward (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Leeswood Lily 125-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, weakened from 3f out, 10th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Flying Instructor (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Baraboy (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Midfield, headway to chase leaders approaching last (usual 3 out), ridden to challenge and led bypassing last, ran on, headed final stride, 2nd of 14, nk behind Evita Du Mesnil (11-10) at Kelso 2m hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Fame Valley (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Raced keenly, waited with in rear, smooth headway out wide before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, looked to hold every chance last, ridden and stayed on same pace towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Cellar Vie (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
The Steward (USA) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, led before 3 out, not fluent last, eased close home, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan beating That's Your Lottie (10-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
