led to 3 out, switched right approaching last, eased when beaten flat
not fluent, always in rear, lost touch 6th, pulled up before 8th
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, jumped badly right 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 1st, reminder after 5th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
not fluent 1st, ridden after 6th, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
always prominent, chased leader from 2nd, led 3 out, ran slightly green, ran on well flat
not fluent, held up in rear, headway after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, weakened 8th
TOPSHAM BELLE is preferred to Banjaxed Girl with Willow Wren looking best of the remainder. There may not be a great deal to choose between the two main protagonists but Nicky Henderson's mare has the advantage of a run over hurdles to her name and that should stand her in good stead. That run was at Warwick where she ran a decent race to chase home a 120 rated winner with the first two pulling clear of the field. Banjaxed Girl is unbeaten in bumpers and showed a really likeable attitude to get the upper hand at Wetherby last time. She's related to a winning hurdler and has to be feared with this trip seemingly a suitable starting point. Willow Wren has something to prove having finished well beaten on her hurdling debut at Huntingdon in November but she had impressed when landing a bumper last season and could leave that run behind. Just For Jean has shown ability on both starts and is another likely player for minor honours whilst Here's The Key hails from a yard going well but the front two in the market could be above average and Topsham Belle has the advantage of a run over hurdles.
Banjaxed Girl 9-4fav (10-12) Led, headed over 2f out, regained lead entering final furlong, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m N H flat (5) sft in Nov beating Florarossa (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Byzantina Fair 50-1 (10-10) Prominent early, held up, headway when jumped slowly 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, last of 9, 38l behind Calusa Crystal (12-0) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Here's The Key (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Tracked winner, bumped 1st, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 34l behind Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Just For Jean (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Keen early, tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, no impression approaching last, 5th of 11, 13l behind Annie May (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Saddlewood (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 12, 16l behind Valbuena (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Saulty Max (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid division, pushed along after jumping slowly 4th, behind when mistake 9th, some progress from 2 out but no danger, 5th of 11, 31l behind Jau (11-0) at Hereford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Tasty Tarn 200-1 (10-10) Jumped left and not fluent, always in rear, lost touch after 5th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Ryde Back (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares NH nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Topsham Belle (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Chased leaders, hit 6th, pushed along approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on well flat, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind A French Horse (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Welsh Jaunt 40-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 6f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 16, 31l behind Bringewood Belle (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Nov.
Willow Wren 14-1 (10-7) Prominent, lost place briefly after 7th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 10, 33l behind Ryde Back (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares NH nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
