mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden and chased winner 4 out, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway after 11th, stayed on to go 2nd approaching 2 out
prominent, led 11th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, tired when jumped right badly last
held up, headway after 7th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, easily
held up last, headway from 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out
prominent, joined leader after 7th, weakened approaching 11th
in touch, ridden and weakened after 11th
led to 11th, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 4 out
KATESS has proven herself over fences and gets the vote over Lamanver Homerun and Pyleigh Lady. Alan King's mare was well-fancied last time out at Wincanton but just found one too good in the form of Romping Home. She had previously brushed aside Amigayle at Fontwell and whilst that may not be the best form in the world, she could have enough in her locker to see off todays rivals. Pyleigh Lady has not managed to feature in previous hurdles runs but she could be of interest now switched to fences, whilst Tambourine Ridge is consistent and if fit for this retrn to this track, then she should be a player. Kerriemuir Lass and Lamanver Homerun both unseated their riders last time, and of this pair the most interesting is the last-named. Paul Nicholls mare was in that Wincanton race last time that the selection was second in, and was travelling well when making an error at the ninth fence. She will be competitive if jumping the obstacles, however it is Katess who can win despite her penalty.
Katess (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Chased leader, led 7th, quickened 4 out, ridden 3 out, 2 lengths up when blundered 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Romping Home (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Nov.
Arctic Magic (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, steady headway when jumped slowly 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 19, 9l behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Kerriemuir Lass (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, chased leader after 5th, mistake and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Shatabdi (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gs, 8 ran.
Lamanver Homerun 7-4 (10-11) Held up, headway when blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Romping Home (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
Pyleigh Lady 10-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, effort approaching 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 15, 18l behind Schindlers Son (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in May.
Ruby Dante (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 6th, weakened quickly next and pulled up 2 out in race won by I'm A Legend (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Tambourine Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) In touch, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, outpaced approaching next, stayed on and went 2nd last, kept on well flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, nk behind Dancing Dasi (10-12) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Thebelloftheball 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 5th, soon beaten and tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Six Day War (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
