took keen hold, always towards rear, never a factor
behind, some headway approaching 3out, no chance when almost unseated rider 2 out and last
held up towards rear, went lame and pulled up soon after 5th
keen hold, held up in rear, headway to 4th approaching 6th, chased leader 3 out until before last, weakened flat
led, mistake 4th, mistake and unseated rider 5th
in touch, headway to 3rd from 5th, led 2 out, stayed on well flat
raced wide, ran in snatches,held up in rear, headway 6th, challenged and mistake 3 out, soon pushed along, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, no impression
chased leaders until weakened before 6th, tailed off
tracked leader, led approaching 5th,headed 2 out, weakened between last 2
in rear, well behind 6th, stayed on well from 2 out, kept on flat, went 3rd near finish
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until weakened 3 out
A poor contest where SOPHISTICATED LADY gets a tentative vote ahead of My Les, Keyneema and Romney Marsh. The last-named has been dropped 3lbs after a moderate effort at Huntingdon last time, having landed a novices' handicap chase prior to that at Uttoxeter. Cut in the ground suits and she can go well enough, though her current mark may ultimately beat her. Keyneema has plenty of racing weight to lug around but in the context of this mediocre affair his recent form has been good enough to enable him to be competitive on ground that will suit. My Les scored at Towcester in a novices' selling hurdle last time and a repeat effort will see her go close once more, especially as there should be improvement to come after just two hurdles starts. Even so, we will side with Sophisticated Lady. Neil King's mare has been brought along steadily and she went close to winning at Huntingdon last time out when there was juice in the ground. The stable's runners have been going as well as their abilities will allow just lately and that augurs well for more improvement from her, so she gets the nod.
Keyneema 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, challenged on inner and every chance 2 out, one pace in 3rd when hit last, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Letham Island (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Bridge of Fermoy (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, 39l behind Salden Licht (11-10) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Smokincanon 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 23l behind Classic Dream (10-4) at Hereford 2m 1f sell (5) sft in Dec.
Heroes 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, raced keenly, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind Peaceful Means (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (4) gd in Jul.
Wondersobright (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led until ridden and headed 5th, weakened quickly, 9th of 14, well behind Letham Island (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Romney Marsh 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed next, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 12l behind Home She Goes (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (4) sft in Jan.
My Les 11-8fav (9-11) Held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, edged left before last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Space Pirate (11-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Marmot D'estruval (FR) (12-0) Disp ld to 7; led 14; drew clr 3 out; comf, won at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp in Apr '07 beating Sarrococca (12-0) by 8l, 2 ran.
Gunship (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, handy, led 8th to 9th, mistake next, 6th and in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Woodlands Genpower (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Sophisticated Lady 33-1 (9-11) Held up, chased leaders approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last until no extra run-in, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Home She Goes (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (4) sft in Jan.
Prince De Lacour (FR) 13-2 (9-7) Soon tracking leader and keen, weakened 3 out, last of 7, 37l behind Crystal Prince (10-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
