disputed lead, ridden and weakened between last 2
prominent until weakened 3 out
made most to last, one pace under pressure
in touch, headway to lead last, stayed on strongly
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace under pressure
held up in touch, headway and prominent between last 2, one pace flat
held up in rear, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, nearest finish
Almond Court has run better in handicaps in his last two starts but Robert Johnson's mare faces no easy task back in a novice race today and a safer option looks to be QUIVVY BRIDGE, who gets the vote over Sea Cove. Evelyn Slack's mare got no further than the third flight before falling at Uttoxeter earlier this month but had previously run well when chasing home Copper Sound in a novices' handicap over course and distance. She does need to improve on that showing to trouble selection though and may be booked for a place at best. Sue Smith's Jumeira Jane is less exposed than most of her rivals after just six starts and she has to be considered on her first start since November 2007. Tharaya ran better in a selling hurdle at Cartmel last time and is another to consider but it is hard to get away from Quivvy Bridge. James Lambe's mare has shown plenty of promise in Ireland and while she disappointed when a short-priced favourite for a maiden hurdle at Cartmel last month, that was over 2m6f and she should appreciate the drop back in distance today.
Almond Court (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Behind, moderate late headway, never troubled leaders, 6th of 13, 26l behind Doris's Gift (11-2) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Foxy Nell 80-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, pushed along after 5th, weakened from next, 8th of 10, well behind Lake Wakatipu (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in May.
Jumeirah Jane 12-1 (10-0) Held up, mistake 4 out, weakened approaching next, 8th of 14, 22l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '07.
Quivvy Bridge (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 23l behind Lake Wakatipu (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in May.
Sea Cove 10-1 (9-11) Carried right 1st, chased leaders, fell 3rd, in a race won by Miss Ladybird (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gf, 12 ran.
Aquarian Dancer 100-1 (10-1) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind Factotum (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Houri (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Pulled early and switched left start, chased leaders, every chance from over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 10l behind Norman The Great (10-2) at Newbury 1m 2f (5) gf in May (flat).
Tharaya 66-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway approaching 5th, hard driven and headed near line, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Wensleydale Web (10-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs nov sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Tofta Tilly 66-1 (11-2) Behind from halfway, 12th of 13, well behind Karello Bay (11-2) at Southwell 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Feb '06.
