led, headed 2f out, led again over 1f out, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, driven in 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 5f out, outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden and lost place over 4f out
held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, plugged on final 2f, never any chance with leaders
held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on, nearest finish
held up towards rear, headway 5f out, outpaced 3f out, no impression after, plugged on
tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, lost place 4f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, kept on same pace, no impression final 2f
held up in mid-division, headway on outside 5f out, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner inside final furlong
in rear, well behind final 7f
held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden and struggling 4f out
Very competitive stuff with the eye inevitably drawn to the sole Willie Mullins runner on the card in the form of the unbeaten Daring Carlotta. Irish bumper form usually rates very highly and she seems sure to be involved at the business end but she is unlikely to represent any real value. Dancing Meadows is another promising Irish contender whilst the in-form Greatrex team unleash the unbeaten pair of Miss Estela and Caitys Joy. Cases can also be advanced for Kilronan High and Dusky Legend but we'll take a punt on BITOFAPUZZLE to concede weight all round in the hope that Harry Fry, who has an excellent record in these contests, has him ready to roll after an absence. He really impressed on both winning starts, especially when scoring in Listed company at Huntingdon in taking fashion, when also giving the impression he still had considerably more to offer.
Bitofapuzzle 5-2 (11-0) Made all, ridden and stayed on strongly inside final furlong, won at Huntingdon 2m mares nh flat (1) hvy in Jan beating Tara Mist (11-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Aces Over Eights (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, chased winner over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Cloughernagh Boy (11-2) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.
Briery Queen 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden before 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Midnight Jazz (10-12) at Towcester 2m mares n h flat (6) gs in May.
Caitys Joy (GER) Evensfav (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (5) gd in Apr beating Ellin's Tower (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Chezzy (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, saddle slipped after about 3f, well beaten final 4f, 11th of 12, well behind Moon Racer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gs in Oct.
Dancing Meadows (IRE) 2-9fav (11-1) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, pushed out to assert final furlong, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Aug beating Madam Be (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Daring Carlotta (IRE) 9-10fav (11-10) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, closer 4f out, smooth progress between horses to lead over 1f out, kept on well, very easily, won at Listowel 2m NH flat gd in Sep beating Bay Sly (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Dusky Legend 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 1m 6f mares n h flat (6) gs in Oct beating Ley Lady Grey (10-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
Fountains Blossom 2-1 (10-11) Prominent, settled tracking leaders after 5f, 3rd and plenty to do over 1f out, ridden into 2nd inside final furlong, closed to lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Father Edward (11-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Kilronan High (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Sweating, made all, clear final 2f, comfortably, won at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gs in Sep beating Solway Prince (10-6) by 5l, 7 ran.
Miss Estela (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, closed 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f mares n h flat (4) gd in Apr beating Coco Shambhala (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Montana Belle (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, progress to lead approaching straight, ridden and headed under 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 25, 5l behind Morning Run (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 1f mares n h flat in May.
Port And Ward (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) In rear, pushed along 7f out, plugged on final 2f, never on terms, 4th of 8, 23l behind Man Of Steel (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jul '13.
Storming Strumpet 8-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on and just held on towards finish, won at Fontwell 1m 6f mares n h flat (6) gs in Oct beating Chantara Rose (10-12) by nk, 8 ran.
