tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed approaching last, rallied flat to regain lead post
close up, led 4th, headed approaching and weakened when stumbled 4 out, poor 4th when blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, soon pulled up
led to 4th, tracked leader, not fluent 6th, no extra between last 2
in rear, soon well behind, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led approaching last, caught post
prominent, lost place approaching 4 out, fell 2 out
held up, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
CAROLE'S LEGACY looks to be the most likely winner of this mares' novices' chase, though Me Julie, Midnight Queen and Cool Friend are also short-listed. Nicky Henderson prepared the selection for a ready seven-length success at Wincanton in a similar contest last month, for which she carries a penalty today. She stays further than today's trip, which is a positive on such a testing circuit, and she goes well on good to soft. If you are looking for a chink in her armour then she has not yet raced on ground as slow as this, but that is not to say she won't act on it. Me Julie was a 2m 5f Ffos Las winner on soft going and ran with plenty of credit over three miles at Lingfield on Saturday. She has a good attitude and will be no easybeat. Midnight Queen is 6lbs worse off with Cool Friend for beating her by 10 lengths at Fontwell in November, and she underlined her wellbeing with a follow-up success in a Newbury novices' hurdle. However, at the weights that gap should be narrowed today. Wychwoods Legend relishes getting her toe in and also comes here in good recent form, with a win in her most recent chase. This would be her minimum trip and she might not have the pace to trouble our pick, Carole's Legacy.
Carole's Legacy 1-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led narrowly 4th until 6th, regained lead 11th, going well when challenged 4 out, in command before 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f Mares Novice Chase (4yo+) (4) gs in Nov beating Cresswell Ruby (10-7) by 7l, 3 ran.
Me Julie 9-4fav (11-12) Led, headed approaching 3 out, tracked winner after, ridden and every chance from 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Gunship (9-13) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.
Midnight Queen 11-4 (10-10) Made virtually all, hard ridden after 2 out, went left, not fluent last, soon joined, hard driven, held on gamely, all out, won at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Miss Overdrive (10-10) by ns, 8 ran.
Wychwoods Legend 9-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 7th, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Whiteoak (10-12) at Kempton 3m mrs lst hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Blues Baby Daisey 200-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, lost place 10f out, behind after, 16th of 20, well behind Lady Vera (11-1) at Warwick 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Mar.
Cool Friend (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 10th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Midnight Queen (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Kentford Mist 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division and keen, headway 8th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 18, well behind Dizzy Future (11-4) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Vic's World (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Slightly hampered 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon every chance, weakened last, edged right flat, 3rd of 10, 14l behind French Leave (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f Conditional Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (4) hvy.
Mewstone 12-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Midnight Queen (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Over Sixty 5-1fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 16l behind Amber Brook (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
