led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led approaching and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, edged left, ran on
behind, headway from 4 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on well towards finish, never troubled leaders
mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 4 out
held up, not fluent 1st and 2nd, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
behind, lost touch after 4 out
pulled hard towards rear, pulled up 4 out
held up towards rear, under pressure 4 out, tailed off when mistake last
pulled hard mid-division, lost place before 4 out
held up in rear, some headway 3 out, never dangerous
BELLA HAZE looks best, in what should be a very competitive opener here at Chepstow. Philip Dando's mare has now won on both her starts at the track and will be high on confidence now, so it is possible she may defy a penalty. The seven-year-old likes cut in the ground and 17 furlongs is the trip of preference for the dual bumper winner. Izita Star was a winner last time out having been runner-up on three previous occasions. The six-year-old was making only her third appearance over hurdles and she looks the type to appreciate top of the ground and should be able to score again. Flow Gently Along was in the process of running a much improved race last time out, before falling at the penultimate flight. If the filly can avoid mishap in this race she should fare well. This novices' hurdle should be dominated by two horses, but for the winner we can look no further than Bella Haze.
Bella Haze 9-2 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Laureate des Loges (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Izita Star 4-1 (10-8) In touch, switched right and led 2 out, soon clear, won at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Riddleofthesands (11-1) by 13l, 14 ran.
Act Three 11-4fav (9-8) Settled 3rd after 2f, chased winner over 2f out, driven head high over 1f out, no impression, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Pocketwood (9-11) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Bahia Blanca (FR) 14-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Shenanigan (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Flow Gently Along (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up and keen, headway after 4th, led 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed when fell 2 out in race won by Mae Cigan (11-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Ilewinbepatient 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, behind from 4th, 7th of 10, 44l behind Call Me A Legend (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) gd.
Mangonel 250-1 (10-7) pulled up 4 out in race won by Sergeant Harper (11-3) at Chepstow 3m nh mdn hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Missie Geore (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 5th, soon no impression, 12th of 18, well behind Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Neat 'n Tidy 100-1 (9-13) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by White On Black (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) sft in Feb '08, 11 ran.
Princess Arwen 250-1 (10-1) Jumped right, always well behind, last of 14, well behind Kingscape (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar '08.
Quoin 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Cool Friend (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
Star Lady (GER) 40-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Kilvergan Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Thedeboftheyear 25-1 (10-8) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway after 5f, weakened 4f out, 9th of 15, 38l behind Giordano Bruno (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Zi Missile (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) In rear, ridden 4f out, never near leaders, 7th of 15, 33l behind Giordano Bruno (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Blandys Wood 40-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Star Grazer (8-4) at Yarmouth 1m 3f fll hcp (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
