held up, headway after 4 out, close 4th and staying on when fell 2 out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened and edged right flat
held up in touch, headway 4 out, mistake 3 out, led approaching last, edged left flat, ran on well
always prominent, every chance from 3 out, mistake last, no extra flat
held up, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous
held up, ridden when mistake 7th, soon struggling, tailed when pulled up before 3 out
led to 7th, weakened 4 out
took keen hold tracking leaders, losing place when blundered 6th, no danger after
with leader, led 7th to 8th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 8th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, hit 5th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
A very tricky contest and we will give a tentative vote to Zaffaran Express, Pearly Bay and Sardagna are also expected to run well. Nicky Richards doesn't send too many down to Ludlow and so Zaffaran Express is the first that catches the eye. Her latest outing behind Chickapeakray is hardly top class but in the context of this contest it looks good enough. Pearly Bay didn't beat much when successful at Taunton in November, but did win with plenty in hand. The handicapper hasn't been too harsh and she should make her presence felt. Sardagna's last victory came off a mark of 118 and so she has to be given every respect despite top weight this afternoon. Hopbine is from a yard in form and may prove best of the remainder, but Zaffaran Express looks the pick of the weights today and gets the verdict.
Sardagna (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Mostly tracked leader until jumped slowly 4th, stayed challenging until ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Refinement (11-11) at Sandown 2m mrs hcp hdl (3) sft.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, improved 5th, chased leading pair 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Zaffaran Express (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Chickapeakray (9-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Precious Mystery (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, driven approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 12, 13l behind She's Our Native (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft.
Hopbine 9-2 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened from 6th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Jorobaden (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Miss Skippy 33-1 (10-12) Held up, 7th going well when fell 2 out in race won by Water King (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs in Nov, 24 ran.
Pearly Bay 7-2 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Private Be (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Gordon Highlander 10-1 (10-13) Led until 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by He's A Leader (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Elegant Eskimo 66-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up, behind from 9th, tailed off, 6th of 16, well behind Before Dark (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft.
My Rosie Ribbons (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden when every chance and hung left approaching 3 out, beaten 2 out, 2nd of 16, 12l behind Titian Flame (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Ericas Charm 9-1 (10-10) In touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 13, 15l behind Glory Be (10-10) at Leicester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec.
Manque Pas D'Air (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind Ballyhoo (10-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
