tracked leaders, reminders halfway, soon outpaced, chased leading pair and no impression from 5 out, lost 3rd place towards finish
made all, pressed from 2 out, ridden before last, held on near finish
in rear, detached and pulled up before 5 out
in touch, outpaced 6 out, in remote 4th from 4 out, plugged on to take 3rd place towards finish
mid-division, chased leaders halfway, challenged 2 out, every chance last, soon went left, kept on and not much room towards finish
tracked leader, weakened and pulled up before 5 out
towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 7 out
Smuggler's Stash has a decent chance in a race like this. He’s still 4lb higher than for his only victories so far but was second at Hexham two runs ago and than ran in a much better race at Ayr. He makes more appeal than stablemate Cant Pay Wont Pay. HEDGEINATOR (NAP) made all at Ludlow nine days ago and escapes a penalty. He will again benefit from James Bowen’s 5lb claim and an earlier second at Sandown was decent form so he looks the one to beat, though Kings Eclipse made a winning start over fences over track and trip last month so can’t be ignored.
Mahler Lad (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Tracked winner, led 4th to 7th, reminders when lost place after 11th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Hedgeinator (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Led until 15th, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating It's A Steal (10-5) by nk, 5 ran.
Chanceofa Lifetime (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place before 4 out, 7th of 8, 21 1/2l behind Proud Gamble (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Smuggler's Stash (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden before 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Finaghy Ayr (10-4) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Kings Eclipse (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, not fluent 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Dick Darsie (11-1) by 5l, 8 ran.
Joseph Mercer (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Chased winner until 5th, chased leaders, lost 3rd after 5th, behind next, 5th of 7, dist behind Triopas (11-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Cant Pay Wont Pay (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) In rear, ridden 5 out, plugged on to go a never dangerous 3rd, 3rd of 9, 13 1/4l behind Dick Darsie (11-2) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
