made all, strongly challenged from 2 out and throughout closing stages, held on gamely
prominent, effort 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hit 5th, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, hard driven to challenge 3 out, lost place next
always behind, struggling 5 out, pulled up after next
mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off
behind, headway approaching 3 out, every chance approaching last and throughout closing stages, kept on under pressure
mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened after last
chased leaders, effort 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, lost place after 4 out, tailed off
always behind, beaten 5 out, tailed off
in touch, headway 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
Stuart Crawford’s pair Hidden Dilemma and Victoria Says were first and fourth respectively at Carlisle on Tuesday. However, the former now carries a penalty and this looks a better race. Gordon Elliott runs Isle Of Destiny, a winner at Hexham two runs ago and another Irish raider, Cyprus Avenue, has each-way claims at the weights. Schiaparannie has had only three starts over timber and makes her handicap debut and Birch Vale won at Sedgefield and Hexham in the spring, though was beaten by the promising Eternally Yours earlier and meets that one on slightly worse terms. QUESTION OF FAITH has won four times around here on the Flat. He made a promising return to hurdling at Sedgefield and, though 2lb higher today, can go one better. Rubenesque has also won on the level this year but looks held by Birch Vale on these terms.
Bon Chic (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Led after 2nd, headed 4 out, weakened next, 12th of 16, dist behind Ready And Able (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Schiaparannie 11-4fav (11-6) Reluctant to jump off and slowly away, hampered 1st, handy by next, hampered by loose horse when not fluent 5th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and beaten when untidy last, 3rd of 16, 6 1/4l behind Presenting Pearl (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 5f (4) gs in Mar.
Isle Of Destiny (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 6th from 3rd, 5th after 9th, pushed along from 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, no extra from next, 8th of 13, 21 1/2l behind The Ballyboys (10-11) at Cork 3m hcp gd in Oct.
Rubenesque (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Bodacious Name (9-7) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Victoria Says (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway when hampered 4 out, no extra approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 17 1/4l behind Hidden Dilemma (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Birch Vale (IRE) 2-5fav (11-5) Made virtually all, drew clear before last, driven out flat, kept on, won at Hexham 2m (4) gd in May beating Blue Baton (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Eternally Yours 5-2 (10-7) Settled in rear, headway after 4 out, chased leaders, before 2 out, led after last, quickened clear, easily (2 hurdles omitted), won at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) hvy in Apr beating Love At Dawn (10-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Off The Hook (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) In rear and in touch, headway to go 4th before 3 out, chased winner before and blundered 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Raised On Grazeon (11-5) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Hidden Dilemma (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) In touch, left in 2nd 4 out, every chance 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Versifier (11-4) by 14l, 8 ran.
Question Of Faith 13-8fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort to challenge between last 2, ridden and every chance flat, no extra near finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Champagne To Go (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Cyprus Avenue 40-1 (10-12) In touch, dropped to rear 7th, tailed off 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Keep The River (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Maureen's Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Storm Nelson (11-11) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
