mid-division, mistakes 5th and 6th, not fluent next, headway approaching 3 out, soon tracking leaders, weakened and eased before last
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, not much room after 3 out, weakened under pressure from 2 out
tracked leader until approaching 2 out where mistake, weakened soon after
held up, always towards rear
towards rear, ridden 6th, well behind next, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent, led 2 out, soon headed, outpaced by winner before last, soon no chance, just held on for 2nd
mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up after last
mid-division, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, quicken before last, soon clear, ran on strongly
held up in rear, reminders after 3 out, never in contention
in touch, mistake 2nd, every chance 2 out, outpaced by winner before last, edged right flat, stayed on, just failed to get 2nd
took keen hold, held up towards rear, struggling after 7th, never on terms
prominent, hit 5th, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, weakened after 6th, tailed off next
led, not fluent 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, edged right flat, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, progress from 2 out, never in contention
mid-division, headway 7th, well there 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat
in rear when jumped slowly 1st, soon pushed along, always behind, tailed off 6th
towards rear, mistake 6th, driven and behind next, kept on from last, never dangerous
in touch, not fluent 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
always in rear, well behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
This race was won by a Novice last year in Whiteoak and with Donald McCain's mare having a crack at the bigger boys in the Champion Hurdle, it is CAROLE'S LEGACY who is fancied to pick up the mantle. The shortlist consists of stablemate Chomba Womba, United and likely favourite Quevega. A chance is taken on the selection due to the fact that she hasn't stopped improving. She is a big mare, very much in the mould of her brother Mad Max, and this looks like it has been the plan for some time. She has a bit to find on the ratings but with AP McCoy picking up the ride, she is unlikely to lose for want of trying. Chomba Womba is the more fancied of the stables' runners but she didn't seem to quite get up the hill last year when third in this race and she was disappointing when turned over at odds-on in January. Of the Irish challenge, Give It Time who got close to Aitmatov last time, and the slowly improving Oscar Rebel look live players, however the most obvious challenge comes from Quevega. She was impressive when beating Sesanta last time and as long as she has improved for that comeback run and not gone backwards, then she deserves to be the favourite. She is however untested going left-handed over hurdles and she also has no experience of the track. Amber Brook has flattered to deceive before, whilst Gaspara was fourth in this race last year and is not be ignored taking in this race before a likely crack at a handicap on Friday. The rest need to improve significantly to feature and so we will take a chance on a potential improver in Carole's Legacy.
Chomba Womba (IRE) 2-5fav (11-5) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, stayed on to lead narrowly last, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Pagan Starprincess (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Give It Time 5-2 (11-7) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 4th approaching 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Aitmatov (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f lst hdl sft in Jan.
Megans Joy (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) In touch towards rear, last and no extra under pressure straight, last of 6, 44l behind Solwhit (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 hvy in Feb.
Oscar Rebel (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, ridden in 5th after 4 out, 4th 3 out, stayed on to 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Catch Me (11-10) at Navan 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 hvy in Feb.
Pagan Starprincess 7-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, mistake next, stayed on from last to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Carrickboy (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
United (GER) Evensfav (11-0) In touch, tracked leader 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, hard ridden and kept on, won at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan beating Sweetheart (11-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Helens Vision 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 1st, ridden 6th, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 26l behind Ashkazar (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Quevega (FR) 4-5fav (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead after 2 out, quickened clear before last, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl sft in Feb beating Sesenta (10-8) by 4l, 8 ran.
Amber Brook (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression, 4th of 6, 9l behind Pagan Starprincess (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Aura About You (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 2nd last, kept on same pace run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Give It Time (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f lst hdl gs in Dec.
Carole's Legacy 2-5fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 6th, led 3 out, edged left under pressure from 2 out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Dancingwithbubbles (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dansimar 8-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, mistake 4th, headway after 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Eleazar (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Gallileo Figaro (USA) 11-4fav (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd before 7th, ridden and still every chance 2 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 15, 20l behind Quattrocento (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Gaspara (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Led, mistake 4 out, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 14, 27l behind Arctic Wings (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
How's Business 16-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 14, 10l behind Chief Yeoman (10-10) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Jan.
Issaquah (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leader 5th to 3 out, soon weakened under pressure, 12th of 14, 46l behind Serabad (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Over Sixty 3-10fav (11-2) Prominent, chased leaders 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on but not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Shenanigan (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Shenanigan 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 7th, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 7th of 13, 25l behind Dansimar (11-9) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Sweetheart 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 19l behind Kasbah Bliss (11-13) at Haydock 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Wychwoods Legend 13-8 (11-3) Tracked winner, hit 3 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out until held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Bench Warrent (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Purely By Chance 9-2 (10-9) Led, not fluent 3 out, edged right after 2 out, headed and not fluent last, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 7l behind Ravello Bay (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
