held up, switched right over 3f out, headway soon after, led over 1f out, drifted left, stayed on well
in touch, raced keenly, steadied after 4f, headway 10f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway 4f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led 4f, remained prominent, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
prominent, led 5f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold in rear, shaken up halfway, always behind
tracked leaders, short of room on inside bend 4f out, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard, headway to lead after 4f, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, raced keenly, headway after 4f, weakened over 5f out
SECRET STASH won a bumper last time out and could repeat that here, with the main dangers expected to be Bonadventure and Aberdale. There are several newcomers here though, so a market check as ever is imperative to see if there's strong support for any debutants. Alison Thorpe's gelding won in heavy going at a slowish pace last time out, but nearly blew it after almost running out, so had a lot of ground to make up, which ultimately he did in turning over a short priced favourite. A repeat of that effort without the mistake could be more than enough to land this. Aberdale gets the champ on board for the first time after a couple of decent runs at the back end of last year. He cost connections 50,000 Euro, and they'll be looking for a return soon. Bonadventure from Phillip Hobbs' yard looks the pick of the newcomers on breeding, and any market support should be noted. He's their only runner on the card. We'll side with experience though, albeit limited, and take Secret Stash to land the finale.
Aberdale (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, headway 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, went 2nd briefly towards finish, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Ballyoliver 4-1 (11-5) Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 15, 5l behind Double Dash (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Barton Alf 66-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 16l behind Daring Origyn (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) gd in Jan.
Bonadventure (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of Midnights Daughter.
Cavingdon Karinga Bay gelding out of Moonlight Air.
Earlestown Boy Beat All gelding out of Miss Cashtal.
Front Street (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding out of Glebe Dream.
Secret Stash (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Soon led and set slow pace, hung right on bend after 2f, headway again 8f out, ridden 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, ran on towards finish, very game, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) hvy in Feb beating Double Dash (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Icterus 100-1 (10-7) Soon in touch, effort to chase leaders over 2f out until over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 13, 8l behind Recif De Thaix (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gs in Feb.
Patrick Dee 40-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 6f out, came wide entering straight, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 11, 29l behind Mintiverdi (10-9) at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (4) gd in Feb.
Newgatehopeful 80-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened 6f out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Kealshore Lass (10-0) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
