| Course: AYR | Race date:18/04/08 | Race time:4:35 | Runners:9 |
| Race distance:2m | Going:Good To Soft | Winners time:3m 44.00s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Vecchia Scuola | Richard McGrath | J S Goldie | 11-12 | 4 | 0 | 131 | 18/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | ||
| Bollin Ruth | Garry Whillans | D W Whillans | 9-7 | 6 | 0 | 103 | 8/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | hd | |
| Doubly Guest | Felix De Giles | N J Henderson | 10-11 | 4 | 0 | 121 | 7/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | 1½ | |
| Theatre Belle | C I Gillies | C Grant | 10-4 | 7 | 0 | 111 | 9/4F | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | hd | |
| Pagan Starprincess | Barry Keniry | G M Moore | 11-8 | 4 | 0 | 127 | 9/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5 | 7 | |
| Buffy | James Reveley | B Mactaggart | 9-9 | 8 | 0 | 100 | 28/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 6 | 7 | |
| Mini Minster | Phil Kinsella | P G Atkinson | 10-0 | 6 | 0 | 100 | 10/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 7 | 2¼ | |
| Topflight Wildbird | Dominic Elsworth | Mrs L Wadham | 11-5 | 5 | 0 | 119 | 6/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 8 | 1½ | |
| Castlecrossings | R P McLernon | Jonjo O´Neill | 11-3 | 5 | 0 | 124 | 15/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | PU |
La Vecchia Scuola held up, outpaced halfway, rallied before 3 out, kept on well from last to lead close home
Bollin Ruth chased leaders, led before 3 out, kept on run-in, headed close home
Doubly Guest took keen hold, led to before 3 out, rallied, kept on under pressure towards finish
Theatre Belle prominent, smooth headway 4 out, effort and every chance next, one pace run-in
Pagan Starprincess held up towards rear, driven and outpaced 4 out, no impression from next
Buffy in touch to 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
Mini Minster towards rear, driven 4 out, soon beaten
Topflight Wildbird chased leaders until ridden and weakened before 3 out
Castlecrossings held up, struggling before 5th, pulled up before next
LA VECCHIA SCUOLA, a surprise package over hurdles this winter, having won over five furlongs on the Flat last summer, remarkably defied top-weight in this competitive handicap and stayed on in tremendous style, having been only fourth - and ridden - at the final flight.Bursting through late in the day, she got up near the finish to gain a deserved victory. Having run a blinder in a Grade 1 race over 3m at Aintree last time, she is plainly developing into a high-class mare. She is engaged again on the course today and, even with a 10lb penalty for this win, still comes out on top on RPR to come out best again.
Bollin Ruth ran a cracker in second, only being denied in the final strides. Consistent though she is, she is overdue a win.
Doubly Guest, who takes a strong grip, plainly has plenty of ability. She was again keener than ideal here, but she ran a cracking race all the same.
The first four drew clear of the rest, headed by Pagan Starprincess, who was again equipped with the cheekpieces she wore when falling at the last, after running well, in a Grade 1 contest at Aintree last time.
Topflight Wildbird ran well below form.
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