towards rear, short lived effort 5th
never fluent, behind, hit 2nd and 4th, steady progress after 5th, stayed on, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
always towards rear
chased leaders until after 3rd, tailed off, pulled up after 5th
prominent, led 3rd until hit 4th and soon headed, weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, led after 4th, drew clear from 3 out, easily
tracked leader, blundered 5th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
mid-division until 4th, behind and pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, behind and pulled up before 2 out
led until 3rd, chased leaders, ridden after 5th, one pace from next
behind, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous
soon in touch, ridden to chase winner after 5th, kept on but always held, lost 2nd run-in
Stara has a wealth of experience from her time in France and is selected as the one to be on in the opener. Gunnasayso is a big threat, while market support for Little Red Indian and Maggie Mathias would be interesting to note. The last named showed ability in winning a bumper under a penalty at Folkestone last November, and had a legitimate excuse when she failed to sparkle in a listed race at Sandown when she was last seen out. The Brendan Powell-trained mare is bred to appreciate this game and, although this is the quickest ground she will have encountered to date, she has to be respected. Little Red Indian has jumps winners in her pedigree, so could feasibly take a hand if she is primed for her racecourse bow. Evan Williams is sure to have her fit and bouncing for the task in hand and this half-sister to Oh So Brave is worth keeping tabs on whatever happens this afternoon. Gunnasayso has experience of hurdles and showed signs of encouragement last season. This faster surface may bring some improvement and the mount of Jason Maguire is forwarded as the logical alternative to the selection. However, Stara reverts to hurdles at a modest level and, with experience counting for plenty at this stage of the campaign, this looks to be a good bit of placement form David Pipe - especially as she can utilise a handy weight for age allowance.
Baby Bonnett (IRE) 18-1 (10-7) Chased leader, ridden 4f out, soon lost 2nd, faded, 7th of 12, 20l behind Katess (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Gunnasayso 13-2 (10-12) Held up, reminders after 5th, headway next, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 23l behind Classic Fiddle (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Irish Totty 33-1 (9-11) Mistake 6th, soon lost touch and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Artic Reason (10-2) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Kitty Wong (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 6f out, weakened and soon behind, 9th of 15, well behind Arctic Magic (10-13) at Chepstow 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Maggie Mathias (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, soon well tailed off, last of 14, well behind Swaythe (11-1) at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (1) sft in Mar.
Maybellino (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, well behind Debut (10-12) at Fontwell 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Stara (FR) (10-3) Held up, good late headway, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Vieux Villez (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 1f clm chs in Apr.
Little Red Indian Commanche Run mare, half-sister to winning jumper Oh So Brave.
