held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, pulled up before next
held up rear, mistake 2nd, never dangerous
led, hit 5th, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly
held up, some progress 6th, weakened after next and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders soon after, kept on, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, jumped left and soon clear advantage, kept on
towards rear, stayed on moderately from 3 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, gradually faded
tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 6th, pulled up before 3 out
An open affair can go the way of Mountain Approach, with Star Double, Scarlet Mix, and Mel In Blue just three others in with claims. The selection stayed on well at Newbury in November to land a competitive event that day and with ground conditions today no problem, she looks primed to run a big race. She steps out of novice company today and this handicap will be a lot tougher, but she looks progressive and looks the value call. Scarlet Mix wasn't beaten far last time out and is one in with place claims at least, whilst Mel In Blue is a course and distance winner and warrants respect. However he had no excuses when well-beaten last time out and whilst he gets on well with today's jockey, he looks a shade high in the weights. Star Double was disappointing last time out but if back on song he would be a danger, however for the winner we will tentatively return to the progressive Mountain Approach.
Mel In Blue (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway halfway, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 12, 28l behind Whereareyounow (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Hidden Talents (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, lost place 6th, trailing after next, tailed off, 23rd of 25, well behind Roadmaker (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 0-130 gd in Apr.
Mountain Approach 5-2 (10-10) Touch, challenging when blundered 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov beating Bonchester Bridge (11-8) by 4l, 11 ran.
Star Double (ITY) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 34l behind Paddy's Tern (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Fleurette 7-1 (11-6) Held up, mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, switched left soon after, ran on flat, not reached leaders, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Brave Jo (10-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Scarlet Mix (FR) 15-2 (10-13) Chased leader, lost 2nd 2 out, ridden and hit last, rallied to regain 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Helen Wood (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 4-1fav (10-5) Held up, headway 9th, chased leaders 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 21l behind Great Approach (10-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Herecomestanley 7-4fav (11-7) Mid-division, went 2nd after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Silistra (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
