prominent, led approaching 2 out, clear before last, easily
led 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra
towards rear, struggling from 3 out
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, went remote 2nd flat, no chance with winner
prominent, saddle slipped and pulled up before 3rd
towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next
towards rear, struggling from halfway
in touch, outpaced from 3 out
led 2nd, behind from 4th, pulled up before 2 out
LAURELDEAN MELODY can beat her own sex in this novices' hurdle, with New Tactics and Doraflora both interesting opponents. The selection has plenty of experience and will appreciate this stiff uphill finish on her return to two miles. The cut in the ground will also suit and with the yard still in form she will be tough to beat. Doraflora's pedigree suggests that she too will get through this soft ground pretty well and she is related to the formerly useful Gulshan, who stayed well beyond this trip. Anything she achieves today she is likely to improve upon over further. Anything James Lambe sends to these shores from Ireland merits respect and New Tactics has had only three runs in her homeland, so she is open to a fair bit of improvement. She will probably handle this ground well enough and she can go very well. Silk Parasol has done well in point-to-points and makes her hurdling debut so watch for any market support, while Primrose Time will act with cut and has at least won a bumper, so is not without a squeak. Laureldean Melody is the one for us.
Laureldean Melody (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, effort and every chance 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Flemish Invader (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Sept.
Sky Calling 33-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, chased leader, left in lead 3 out, headed just before last, no extra and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Kirkhammerton (11-0) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
Doraflora Alflora filly out of Gretton.
Miss Champagne (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching last, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 14l behind Hawksbury Heights (11-5) at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Miss Tarantella 150-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Sharevar (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
New Tactics (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 11th 5 out, kept on without threatening from after next, 8th of 29, more than 13l behind Aura About You (11-4) at Navan 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl gs in Sept.
Nosey Gunner 22-1 (11-0) Led, headed 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, last of 12, well behind Celtic Heather (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Primrose Time 100-1 (11-4) Chased leader, weakened 5f out, last of 20, well behind Carole's Legacy (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f mrs lst nhf (1) gd in Apr.
Prioryjo 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway and in touch 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Isn't That Lucky (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Silk Parasol (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Chsd ldrs; led 14; clr 3 out; hrd rdn flat; hdd nr fin, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Reiver's Fort (12-5) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May.
