took keen hold, tracked leader to 3 out, 3rd and well held from next
held up in last pair, ridden 4 out, stayed on to take poor 4th flat
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
held up in close 5th, headway after 3 out, chased leader 2 out, narrow lead last, driven out and in command towards finish
led until approaching 2 out, weakened soon after 2 out
soon in last pair, ridden and struggling from 3 out
tracked leading pair, mistake 4th, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, stayed challenging under pressure, no extra, held towards finish
Silk Affair is entered up at Sandown on Friday so the bet here may be SANTIA ahead of top-weight Pelican Point. The last-named must be of interest given his liking for the ground and the style of his success last time, however a double penalty makes life tough and it is interesting that connections have replaced a 3lb claimer with a 7lb claimer this afternoon. Instead then we'll side with Santia, a progressive mare from the Alan King yard. She was a narrow second to the good yardstick Pepite De Soleil last time and she can win her first hurdles race at the third attempt today. No stable is in better form than Venetia Williams, and she saddles Kahsabelle. She was fairly well-held last time out behind leading Triumph fancy Zaynar, and although she gets plenty of weight here she is opposable. Nicky Henderson has a good strike-rate here, and he saddles Theft. He was very disappointing last time when pulled up at Ludlow and hopes seem to be resting on a drop in trip today. This looks a good opportunity for Santia to get off the mark over timber.
Pelican Point 3-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, always prominent, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Bathwick Quest (11-0) by 5l, 14 ran.
Allfortara (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, steady progress on outer after 3 out, stayed on from next, not reach leaders, 5th of 16, 10l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Orana Conti (FR) 33-1 (10-8) With leader, led after 2nd to 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 20l behind James de Vassy (10-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Santia 13-2 (10-11) In touch, headway and chased leader 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, switched left and ran on flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, nk behind Pepite De Soleil (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Theft 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not much room 3rd, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Dancingwithbubbles (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Amouretta 6-1 (10-8) Prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Purely By Chance (10-8) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Kahsabelle (FR) 14-1 (10-5) Led to 1st, chased leader, jumped right 5th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Zaynar (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Silk Affair (IRE) 4-6fav (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, soon clear, easily, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Gouranga (11-2) by 11l, 8 ran.
