mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, led 2 out, driven clear from last
chased leader, led 2nd to 4th, hit 5th, lost place 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division and pulled hard, headway and chased leaders after 3rd, mistake 8th, every chance when stumbled badly and unseated rider 3 out
mid-division, ridden and no impression after 3 out
held up last, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
led to 2nd, led 4th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up, headway and challenged 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, hit last, no extra flat
ELLEN TILLY is penalised but that might not stop this progressive mare from winning again at the main expense of Rith Bob. Alan King's course and distance winner comes here on the back of a good second to Argento Luna at Doncaster. She was outpointed late on there by the winner's better turn of foot but she is a real battler and is sure to appreciate the return to this trip. The ground is no problem and she rates as a confident selection. Blazing Diva was pulled up when last seen in December. She was well-fancied for that Bangor race but tackling fences for the first time she made some bad mistakes and was soon beaten. Back over hurdles she is to be respected but she has plenty to find on the form book and strikes as one who may appreciate better ground. Rith Bob is unexposed as she has only had the one hurdles start. She was far from disgraced at Exeter and this daughter of Bob Back is from a good family and is one who will surely improve when continually stepped up in trip. Far From Blonder is a newcomer from powerful connections and as a result is likely to be prominent in the betting. Like the majority in the yard she is related to several winners and cost ¿25,000 as a four-year-old. The others look up against it and so it is Ellen Tilly who can get back to winning ways.
Ellen Tilley 5-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Argento Luna (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Blazing Diva (IRE) 9-4fav (10-6) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, pushed along after 8th, lost place 10th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Firth Of Forth (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Dec, 4 ran.
Bright Quest 100-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 16, 23l behind Cullahill (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Duly Noted (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Behind, headway approaching 8th, never on terms, 6th of 13, 25l behind King Ar Aghaidh (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Far From Blonde (IRE) Presenting mare out of Titian Blonde.
Marias Rock 40-1 (11-0) Chased leader after 1st, led 6th to 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 14, well behind Dancingwithbubbles (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rith Bob (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, not quicken, 5th of 16, 14l behind Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
