led, headed over 3f out, rallied and led again over 2f out, stayed on well
held up in touch, headway to chase winner over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on well
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, headway over 6f out, chased leaders over 3f out, stayed on, never on terms
tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out
BALLESTRA looks the part on paper and is preferred to fellow newcomer The Hon Tara and the more experienced Black Annie. The last named is sure to be popular with McCoy doing the steering but she hasn't set the Thames on fire in two starts to date although she may appreciate this more exacting test of her stamina. Annimation has achieved a similar level of form in two starts but Twin Bud needs to improve on the form of her debut. The Hon Tara is related to the bumper winner and staying hurdler Tara Taylor so merits respect as she makes her debut but nominal preference is for the Williams runner. She's the first foal of a bumper winner who is from a good family and Ballestra may be able to maintain the line by opening her account at the first attempt.
Annimation (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 15, 12l behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Ballestra (IRE) Alflora mare out of Sparkling Sword.
Black Annie (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, kept on one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 13l behind Deejan (10-12) at Ludlow 2m N H flat (4) sft in Dec.
Noir Noir Gleaming mare out of Shengari.
The Hon Tara Kayf Tara mare out of Marielou.
Twin Bud 25-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, driven half-way, under pressure over 3f out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 12l behind Malindi Bay (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f N H flat (6) sft in Nov.
