tracked leaders, went 2nd before last, switched right and soon challenging, led early flat, driven right out
tended to jump right, took keen hold, chased leaders, jumped right and mistake 3 out, weakened and mistake next
took keen hold, held up, ridden after 6th, struggling 2 out
led, ridden and headed well before last, no chance with front pair from last
in touch, headway travelling well to track leading pair between last 2, led before last, ridden and headed early flat, no extra
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden 5th, struggling next, tailed off
chased leader until well before last, soon weakened
in touch, mistake and weakened 2 out,
Although she has never won on ground quicker than soft SILK AFFAIR should still have too much for her opponents here and can score. The four-year-old has to give away 5lbs to all her seven opponents, but she is rated much further clear than that. This trip is not ideal for her, being a little on the short side, but she should have a bit too much class for the others. Isintshelovely won a Fontwell bumper last year but has rather lost her way since. The drop back to this trip looks a positive, but you'd be hard pressed to fancy her for the win. Lindy Lou stays 1m 6f on the flat, so this should be no problem over hurdles for what is her debut. If she jumps well enough her flat form entitles her to emerge as perhaps the leading challenger to the selection. Peggy Ann made a quiet debut in a Hereford bumper but Venetia Williams still has her runners going well and it would be no surprise to see some significant improvement from the mare. Little else appeals and Silk Affair is a confident choice.
Silk Affair (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft beating Sangfroid (11-7) by 4l, 16 ran.
Cadeaux Cerise (IRE) 150-1 (10-10) Towards rear, weakened 6th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Etain (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Prominent, mistake 1st, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Carrickboy (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Isintshelovely (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, bumped 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Parlesotho (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lindy Lou 9-4fav (9-4) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, pulled up inside final furlong pulled up in race won by Five Two (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct, 11 ran (Flat).
Peggy Ann (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Always in rear, 9th of 15, 46l behind Swansbrook (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Saddlers Mot 66-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, ridden 6f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Tara Taylor (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Smart N Sharp (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 12th of 17, 37l behind Somersby (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
