went left start, soon prominent, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
tracked leader, led over 2f out, challenged approaching final furlong, hard ridden and kept on well under pressure
keen early, tracked leader, driven to challenge 2f out, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on well
slowly away, always behind
chased leaders, weakened halfway
A modest opener, and from a shortlist of STASH, The Cuckoo and La Capriosa, we marginally favour the claims of the first named. Reg Hollinshead's gelding is the least exposed, having only run twice, but was a ready winner on debut over this trip at Wolverhampton. He was subsequently placed in a higher grade handicap over further at the same track, but drops in class and trip are positives in a contest which may not take too much winning. He's certainly bred for sprints, and is a half-brother of a multiple winner over 5 and 6 furlongs. He's the only interest on the card for trainer and jockey. Mickey Quinn's The Cuckoo is the only course and distance winner in the field; that was a weak nursery back in September, since when he's been disappointing. La Capriosa won here over 6 furlongs last month, and is pretty busy, with this her fifth outing this calendar year. She goes well on the track, having had her last six outings here. Just The Lady may provide some each way value, while there's little appeal about either of the two Stuart Parr runners. So the most likely winner we think, is Stash.
Stash 15-2 (9-0) Led early, stayed prominent, ridden to lead again over 1f out, fading headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Five Star Junior (8-13) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan.
The Cuckoo 9-1 (9-1) Led, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened quickly, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind dhtrs Lady Vivien (8-4) & Desert Strike (9-4) at Great Leighs 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
La Capriosa 7-2 (9-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Diamond Surprise (8-13) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
Just The Lady 5-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 2l behind Bold Rose (9-0) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
Thaumatology (USA) 5-1co-fav (9-1) Went right start, held up mid-division, lost place 3f out, soon beaten and behind, 9th of 12, 11l behind Dream Huntress (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Alimarr (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden along halfway, soon beaten, last of 9, 39l behind Just Five (8-8) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (6).
