tracked leader, with winner when blundered 3 out, soon beaten
led, ridden 9th, headed soon after next, soon beaten
close up, ridden 8th, soon lost touch
held up, ridden after 9th, soon lost touch
held up in touch, improved to lead soon after 10th, clear over 2 out, comfortable
refused to race
Common Girl gets the vote here, with her main dangers reckoned to be Middleham Park and Fille Detente. The selection is rated the best of these on official marks and her overall form, including when a 10-length third to Prins Willem at Cheltenham last time, makes her worthy of that. A repeat of that effort over this longer trip gives her very good claims. Middleham Park won his novice event at Plumpton two runs ago but then disappointed when stepped up to this type of trip last time. As this is a modest event overall, he should go well, and this sharper track should help him get home. Fille Detente was staying on at the finish last time, suggesting that a race of this nature was within her grasp, and blinkers for the first time today could help her improve further. Turning to the others and King's Mountain has regressed since his Irish days, but Madhahir has shown himself capable of winning on the Flat from a mark of 58, although his six hurdling runs have produced little, while Simon's Seat has been performing with credit on the all-weather of late but, once again, has shown little in two hurdling starts. However, for the winner, we will stick with Common Girl.
Middleham Park (IRE) 11-1 Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 40l behind Rowley Hill at Bangor 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
King's Mountain (USA) 9-1 5th of 7, well behind Polar Champ at Wadebridge 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Madhahir (IRE) 33-1 Chased leaders until weakened after 4 out, 11th of 22, 37l behind Irish Blessing at Wetherby 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Apr.
Simon's Seat (USA) 50-1 Slow jump first, behind, dropped to last at 4th, mistake and lost touch next, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Eric's Charm at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (C) gd in Feb '04.
Common Girl (IRE) 100-1 Held up in rear, slightly hampered 2nd, headway 7th, tracked leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Prins Willem at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Fille Detente 5-1 Held up, headway approaching 6th, mistake next, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th and no chance when mistake last, 4th of 9, 13l behind Little Brave at Towcester 2m 5f nov sll hdl (G) gf in Apr.
