held up in touch, went 2nd from 11th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, no extra closing stages
led, reminders and headed before 10th, lost place before next, behind and struggling when blundered 12th, pulled up before 13th
in touch on outside, mistake 7th, ridden after 5 out, soon struggling, went modest 3rd after 2 out, no chance with front pair
held up in touch, 3rd when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakening when went right next, pulled up approaching last
held up in touch until jumped slowly and lost touch 9th, not recover, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led before 10th, made rest, ridden after 2 out, hard pressed from last, stayed on gamely closing stages
Marlee Massie has won twice over fences at Ayr, including his latest start, but was behind runner-up ASCOT DE BRUYERE over these obstacles in between. The latter went on to make all over a shorter trip here last week when all four rivals failed to complete and James Ewart’s charge can race off the same mark again today. Finaghy Ayr won a chase at Carlisle in February but fell off an 8lb higher mark at Hexham last time when Sevenballs Of Fire finished third over a marathon 4m trip. The latter drops further down the weights and is preferred to chasing newcomers Broad Spectrum and Purple Harry.
Marlee Massie (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Made most until headed 12th, soon pushed along in 3rd, rallied in 2nd 4 out, led again 2 out, ridden and clear before the last, idled and edged right final 100 yards, driven to hold on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Buffalo Ballet (10-10) by nk, 4 ran.
Ascot De Bruyere (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Made all, about a length up when left alone last, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Mar
Sevenballs Of Fire (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Close up in rear, reminders 10th, pushed along 15th, ridden 19th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Settledoutofcourt (10-13) at Hexham 4m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Finaghy Ayr (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit and fell 17th, at Hexham 4m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Broad Spectrum (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led to 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Aintree My Dream (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) sft in Oct.
Purple Harry 7-1 (11-6) Soon led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
