in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed well over 1f out, kept on until weakened inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish
started slowly, tracked leader after 2f, effort 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner
awkward start and slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
led 1f, tracked leaders after, effort over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
held up, in touch, ridden to lead well over 1f out, soon clear, ridden out
Yet another handicap for us to assess as the card draws to a close and the reapplication of blinkers can help Talamahana take the race from Seductive Witch and probably Regal Veil. Talamahana went quite close in blinkers at Wolverhampton a couple of starts ago and was quickly beaten without them over 7f last time. Dropped back to this trip she is no more than a very tentative suggestion with hoods back on if you must have a bet. Stuart Williams runs Regal Veil in a handicap for the first time and it is safe to assume that she will put her very moderate form in maidens behind her now she has been given a rating of just 48 and after a nice break she would be no surprise improver. Seductive Witch showed enough on her handicap debut to be given a squeak here and La Varrosa is probably the pick of the others. A truly terrible contest then and Talamahana just gets the vote.
Seductive Witch 25-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Banjo Bandit (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Talamahana 4-1fav (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 9, 5l behind Banjo Bandit (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Where's Killoran 40-1 (8-10) Close up until ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 9l behind Joss Stick (8-9) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Regal Veil 40-1 (8-8) In touch on inside, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 13l behind Orpen Fire (8-6) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Oct.
La Varrosa 28-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, hung left over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 15l behind Mac Dalia (8-9) at Southwell 5f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Little Finch (IRE) 25-1 (7-12) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 6l behind Weet A Surprise (9-7) at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (6) fbs in Dec.
Bold Diva 200-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 11l behind Italian Art (9-1) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Oct.
