Topaz Lady is taken to get the better of Bollin Ruth and Innominate in this handicap hurdle. This Nicky Richards-trained mare won emphatically here last time when she beat Oscar Trial. She does have more on her plate here but she could have won by double her winning distance last time as she was eased down, and she can take plenty of beating today. Bollin Ruth will go on the ground and she did run a solid race when narrowly beaten by Mini Minster here last time. However, she is going up in the weights and she may find a couple too good today. Innominate plugged-on well last time on his handicap debut, but he looks the type who will do better over further and for that reason we will take him on. Aston Lad disappointed last time, but he should strip fitter for that outing and he could do better today. However, Topaz Lady looks progressive and she can win again.
Gold Heart (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 7th, mistake 10th, outpaced 4 out, 5th of 8, well behind Patricksnineteenth (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Rathowen (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Flying Falcon (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Aston Lad 20-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 27l behind Nycteos (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Tragic Ohio 20-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 4th, ridden and lost place before 5th, headway again approaching 7th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Wizard of Us (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb '07.
Spare Me 9-1 (10-10) Held up, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, driven before next, mistake 8th, weakened before next, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Hopkins (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar.
Innominate (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Held up, mistake 8th, headway to chase leaders after 10th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 14, 17l behind Hopkins (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar.
Topaz Lady (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, clear last, eased flat, easily, won at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar beating Oscar Trial (11-3) by 12l, 11 ran.
Bollin Ruth 4-7fav (11-3) Held up, headway 2 out, led before last, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 5, shd behind Mini Minster (11-0) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Start Royal (FR) 33-1 (9-9) Led, headed and hit 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 13, 21l behind Soubriquet (10-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Fair Spin 33-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 12th of 16, 41l behind Polly Whitefoot (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Tycheros 17-2 (11-12) Always behind, 11th of 16, 28l behind Bonnie Rock (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
