led until 4th, led again 9th, hard driven 4 out, stayed on well
prominent, led 4th, headed 9th, lost place 14th, outpaced 5 out, rallied approaching last, kept on
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent early, soon in touch, slow 6th, rallied 9th, under pressure 13th, rallied again 4 out, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, kept on well under pressure
chased leaders, blundered 5 out, weakening when mistake next, soon pulled up
held up in rear but in touch, headway 13th, soon prominent, hard driven after 4 out, no extra approaching last
MISTRESS MASSINI won a bumper here in 2016 and three point-to-points early last year. She landed a handicap over slightly shorter here earlier this month before winning easily at Catterick and the handicapper may not have reeled her in yet, despite a 10lb rise. The veteran Huff And Puff returned from a long break to score at Hereford in April so the fact that he hasn't run since the following month shouldn't be a problem and he's only 1lb higher. Market Road has won six times under Rules, including on fast ground at Leicester last time, though never from a mark this high. Smuggler's Blues, a winning point-to-pointer, was badly impeded on his chasing debut at Sandown and looks the type to do better over this more suitable trip while Hey Bill has gained both of his victories over fences around here.
Huff And Puff 10-1 (11-6) In touch, led 2nd to next, in touch, not fluent 6th, hit and lost place 10th, no danger after, weakened after 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Vice Et Vertu (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in May.
Hey Bill (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) In touch, pushed along before 17th, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Carole's Destrier (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, left 4th when hampered 11th, outpaced bypassing omitted 3 out, never threatened leaders, 4th of 14, 23l behind Warthog (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Lex Talionis (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear, mistake 10th, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 8, 24 1/2l behind Pink Gin (10-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Market Road (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, challenged 6th, not much room 8th, led next, headed 11th, led 4 out, mistake and headed next, led again last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jan beating Nomination Game (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Mistress Massini 4-11fav (11-5) Held up in 4th place, closer in 3rd at 6th, challenged 12th, 2nd 15th, led after next, clear 3 out, easily, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Holy Street (11-12) by 6l, 4 ran.
