chased leader led 3rd, ridden and joined last, headed soon after, weakened into 3rd run-in
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon behind
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 3 out, upsides last, led early run-in, stayed on well, readily
held up in 5th, headway approaching 3 out, no extra in 4th when mistake last
raced keenly in last pair, steady headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, close 3rd approaching 2 out, ridden and went 2nd run-in, one pace
held up in last trio, behind 4th, lost touch and mistake next, tailed off, eased before 2 out
held up in rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, weakened between last 2
led until 3rd, chased leader until 3 out, weakened soon after
A fascinating opener can see FLORESSA reverse recent course and distance running with the equally-promising Silver Forever on better terms. Only a short-head separated the pair earlier this month but they pulled well clear of third Heaven Help Us. Jeremys Flame is not out of this on her second to Daylight Katie in a Grade 3 at Down Royal while Valse Au Taillons won minor contests at Ffos Las and Stratford in June in the style of a mare who should go on to better things. She’s preferred to Early Morning Rain, Martha Brae and Nikap
Silver Forever (IRE) 7-4 (11-3) Led and set decent pace, shaken up between last 2, joined last, hard ridden and hung badly right run-in, all out, won at Newbury 2m (2) gs in Nov beating Floressa (11-3) by shd, 8 ran.
Early Morning Rain (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leading pair, pushed along to lead 2 out, clear last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Deja Vue (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Floressa (FR) 11-8fav (11-3) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, chance when dived at the last, switched left run-in, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Silver Forever (11-3) at Newbury 2m (2) gs in Nov.
Heaven Help Us (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th, closer in 4th 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 8, 13 1/4l behind Silver Forever (11-3) at Newbury 2m (2) gs in Nov.
Jeremys Flame (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up in last, headway into 5th 4 out, improved into 2nd and pushed along after 3 out, disputed lead and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent at last and headed, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Daylight Katie (10-10) at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Martha Brae 12-1 (10-10) Led until over 7f out, remained prominent, driven to challenge over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) gd in May beating Designer Destiny (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Nikap (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inside, steady headway before 3 out, challenged after next, led last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov beating Molly Ollys Wishes (11-5) by 3l, 13 ran.
Valse Au Taillons (FR) 1-2fav (11-4) Made all, quickened clear before last, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gs in Jun beating Evita Du Mesnil (10-12) by 18l, 6 ran.
