led, headed approaching 5th, led again 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed soon after, no extra
held up, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, fell 2 out
prominent, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, soon led, headed 3 out, rallied after 2 out, led after last, driven out
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
with leader, led approaching 5th, headed after 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, ridden and behind from 4 out
held up, headway 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, one pace
held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
A wide open finale, and some may be tempted by top-weight Devon Native or in-form Tim Vaughan's Lady De La Vega, but our preference is for his previous runner LITTLE FIRECRACKER, making her debut for Neil King. She's had a dose of seconditis in her last four runs, but maybe the change of scenery will do her good, which would be ironic given Vaughan's fame for turning around the fortunes of those that come to him. She was claimed after her last run earlier in the month, and has a very game attitude, which deserves more than her two career wins to date. Lady De La Vega is a former point to point winner, and is relatively unexposed, but ran a creditable fourth at a huge price last time and now makes her handicap debut. Devon Native has to give weight away to all, but has shown ability in winning a maiden hurdle before disappointing in handicap company. There should be improvement to come though. It's a contest full of imponderables, but we'll side with Little Firecracker.
Devon Native (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leader, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd after next, weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, 36l behind Daraz Rose (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Danzatrice 4-1 (11-0) Towards rear, hit 8th, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 12l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Kelly Manor (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Held up behind, lost place from 9th, 6th of 8, 23l behind Gan On (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Cobbler's Queen (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) In touch, went 2nd after 9th, driven 3 out, mistake and weakened last, 4th of 15, 15l behind Daraz Rose (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Reelwill (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Teviot Lass (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Southern Exit 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat to take 3rd post, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Isintshelovely (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Little Firecracker 11-4 (10-2) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed narrowly after 2 out, edged left and regained lead flat, headed post, 2nd of 7, ns behind Bureaucrat (10-4) at Hereford 2m 4f sell (5) gd.
Me Julie 100-1 (10-7) With leaders, led after 4th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 13, 35l behind My Friend Sandy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Chicago Alley 4-7 (11-7) Ap; led 14-15; led cl home, won at Upper Sapey 3m ptp gd in May beating Hop Pocket (12-0) by hd, 4 ran.
Pure Crystal 9-4 (10-5) Chased leaders, driven approaching 3 out, chased winner soon after, no chance when blundered last, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Royal Max (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Estrica (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent and keen, blundered 1st, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Sylroy (9-13) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Sophisticated Lady 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, weakened from 5th, 7th of 10, well behind Lake Wakatipu (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in May.
Lady De La Vega (FR) 66-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 19l behind Manyriverstocross (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
