not always fluent, made all, joined 2 out, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on gamely to assert final 100 yards
went right and bumped 1st, chased leading pair, 2nd before 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and every chance run-in, no extra final 100 yards
held up in rear, went 4th 4 out, went 3rd soon after 2 out, kept on same pace and no chance with leading duo
tracked leaders in 4th until 4 out, chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, hung left and pluggged on into 4th again after 2 out
bumped and chased winner 1st, lost 2nd before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
Mardale was pulled up over course and distance when last seen but clearly didn’t handle the heavy ground and shouldn't be written off just yet. However, she's competing with HOLLIES PEARL off level weights and Peter Bowen's mare probably has the stronger form. She didn’t get home over 3m in a much better race at Doncaster earlier this month but only faded at the second-last and gets good going for the first time since scoring at Chepstow in October. Ethelwyn and Fizzy Dancer may do better when going handicapping and Stickee Finger was tailed off on her hurdling debut.
Hollies Pearl 5-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and mistake last, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 14l behind The Organist (11-2) at Doncaster 3m lst (1) sft in Mar.
Mardale (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Behind, pushed along 5 out, detatched when pulled up before next, at Haydock 2m 3f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Ethelwyn 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, mistake and well beaten 3 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Briery Queen (10-10) at Doncaster 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Fizzy Dancer 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, disputed lead after 3rd, outpaced 3 out, no chance with front pair from next, 3rd of 6, 26 3/4l behind Eardisland (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Mar.
Stickee Fingers 14-1 (11-0) In touch in 3rd, took closer order 4 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 7, dist behind Pink Play (11-6) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Feb.
