held up, ridden after 3 out, never pace to get on terms
tracked leader until 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
held up, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly, pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold in touch, effort 4 out, soon beaten
took keen hold, held up, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
in touch, headway after 7th, challenged 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well, ridden out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace
held up, headway after 7th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace
led until 4 out, soon ridden, led 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
THEATRE GIRL is marginally preferred to Lead On and Blaeberry in a race where we're not too keen to rule out any of the nine runners. Emma Lavelle has her team in top form and Blaeberry has made winning reappearances for each of the last two years. She is only 5lbs higher than her highest winning mark and should go well providing that there isn't any rain about. Lead On is another reverting to hurdling after a spell over fences last season. He did well in that sphere but is equally adept over hurdles as he showed when finishing a half length second to the smart Don't Push It in this race last year. He's higher in the weights now but he's more experienced and this line-up looks less exacting. Whilst a number of the remainder are open to improvement and have already proved themselves to be decent horses in their own right there's just a slight doubt as to whether they have the class of Theatre Girl over hurdles. The selection has yet to win over this trip but she was only beaten around seven lengths behind Whiteoak in David Nicholson's race at Cheltenham and shouldn't have any problems getting home. Her handicap mark is realistic, there should be more to come and Theatre Girl can make a winning return.
Blaeberry 16-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place 5th, mid division when fell at the 7th in race won by Down The Stretch (10-2) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May, 15 ran.
Lead On (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake throughout, hampered 3 out, left in 2nd, stayed on well not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Oslot (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Theatre Girl 2-9fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, shaken up approaching last, ran on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Fit To Drive (10-4) by 23l, 9 ran.
Just Amazing (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr beating Your Amount (11-8) by a shd, 8 ran.
Abstract Art (USA) 11-8jt-fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders going well approaching 2 out, soon led, clear when hit last, readily, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Quizzene (11-2) by 8l, 11 ran.
Irish Legend (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, hampered after 2 out, squeezed through, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Sept beating Mizen Raven (10-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Amber Brook (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, ridden when fell at the last in race won by One Gulp (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
King Caine (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Close up, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, 3rd and held when mistake last, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Bureaucrat (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May.
Aimigayle 15-8 (11-9) Led, mistake 4th and 3 out, headed and soon weakened, left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Caoba (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in May.
