mid-division, losing place and mistake 5th, ridden after 7th, stayed on from 2 out
in touch, mistake 7th, soon ridden, weakened next, pulled up before last
jumped left throughout, led, hit 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace after
held up behind, good headway after 7th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on, always held
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 7th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway after 7th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well (hand timed)
in touch, effort approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
hit 2nd, behind from 4th, pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
mid-division, hit 7th, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, ridden after 7th, stayed on from 3 out, not reached leaders
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened before 3 out
held up behind, some headway 7th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader until weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway after 7th, hit 3 out, weakened next
What a cracking renewal of the mares' final, and only a narrow vote goes to Tambourine Davis over a whole host of challengers including Wyldello, Bonchester Bridge, Karello Bay, Missis Potts and Apollo Lady. Where do you begin to try and find the winner, with so much talent on view? With that in mind, Tambourine Davis can be considered no good thing, but she does boast a progressive profile and is handily weighted. One of three Nicky Henderson inmates here, she had the measure of two of today's rivals, Strawberry and Star Award at Taunton the time before last, yet meets that pair on better terms now. The latter was then beaten by the selection's stablemate Karello Bay at Wincanton, while Tambourine Davis went on to follow up at Ludlow. Related to crack chaser Klairon Davis, she is very much on the upgrade, and should go close off 10st 10lb. Like Karello Bay, Henderson's other runner Bonchester Bridge carries 11st 3lb but has not been out of the first two all season and has to be given a mention. Alan King is double-handed, with Robert Thornton electing to ride topweight Wyldello, with Gerard Tumelty taking 5lb off Apollo Lady. Has 'Choc' made the right choice though, as his mount, a full-sister to useful stayer Marello, has not beaten much and may prefer softer ground. A bigger danger may emerge in the shape of Missis Potts, whose second to Granit Jack at Taunton has been made to look even better by the latter's subsequent second in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Further down the weights, the likes of Over The Flow and Knockara Luck command more than a passing glance, and with the Venetia Williams stable in form, Back On Line cannot be totally ruled out. However, the pin comes down on Tambourine Davis.
Wyldello 5-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Duc De Regniere (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Reel Charmer 13-8fav (11-3) In touch, led approaching 4 out, headed before next, gradually weakened, 5th of 16, 34l behind La Dame Brune (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Very Special One (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, joined leader after 6th, led approaching 8th, clear after 3 out, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Old Benny (10-12) by 16l, 11 ran.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, led last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan beating Linnet (11-2) by 4l, 5 ran.
Bonchester Bridge 9-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway 7th, challenged 3 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Mountain Approach (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov.
Karello Bay 2-5fav (11-1) Held up behind leaders, went smoothly into close 3rd 3 out, ridden before next, weakened quickly, finished tired, 3rd of 5, well behind Golden Child (10-9) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Missis Potts 4-1 (10-9) Made all, quickened on bit 2 out, shaken up last, ran on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft beating Gauvain (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Apollo Lady 11-4co-fav (11-6) Held up, headway 5th, chased leader 7th, led 3 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Tarotino (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Strawberry (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, strong challenge under pressure flat, stayed on gamely to lead near finish, won at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft beating Illicit Spirit (11-6) by a nk, 15 ran.
Back On Line (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, driven clear run-in, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy beating Maktu (11-2) by 9l, 11 ran.
Star Award (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ran on well to go 2nd run-in, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Karello Bay (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Tambourine Davis (FR) 10-11fav (11-8) Always prominent, mistake 5th, led 3 out, soon ridden, ran on well flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Delena (10-12) by 4l, 11 ran.
Blackbriery Thyne (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 17, 39l behind Portland Bill (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mountain Approach 7-1 (11-4) Held up rear, mistake 2nd, never dangerous, 8th of 12, well behind Scarlet Mix (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Sovietica (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Gaspara (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Over The Flow 10-3 (10-6) Tracked leading pair, slight lead and mistake 2 out, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind William Bonney (11-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Knockara Luck (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to lead 4 out, headed next, hit last, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 4l behind So Cloudy (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Ruby Dante (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, no impression before 2 out, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Netherley (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
