always prominent, joined leaders 2nd, led 3 out, driven when challenged after next, headed flat, soon rallied, no extra closing stages
held up in last, took keen hold, fell 3 out
in touch, headway 4 out, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance last, led run in, ran on well
led, soon joined, headed after 3rd, tracked leaders until lost place 6th, under pressure after 3 out, soon behind
held up towards rear but in touch, headway approaching 6th, 2nd 3 out, weakened quickly next
chased leaders, progress 4 out, effort 2 out, held in 3rd when not fluent last, no extra flat
with leader, keen, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, soon lost place
Iconic Sky has a change of jockey after her previous partner rode out a finish a circuit too soon at Fakenham last time. Lucy Wadham’s mare still finished third and may well have won if not for her earlier exertions. Course winner Sweet Holly bids for a hat-trick raised a further 11lb on her return to action while Love Lane won a novices’ race at Exeter last time and steps up in trip for her handicap debut. But MIDTECH VALENTINE (NAP) makes most appeal having been beaten only a length in a Class 2 hurdle at Haydock last month and can return to winning ways with a similar effort in this lower grade. War Creation also has a shout on her earlier success at Haydock but is not proving the most consistent of hurdlers.
Just Milly (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, disputing 3 1/2 lengths 3rd when fell 2 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Sweet Holly 2-1fav (10-12) Held up behind, headway before 5 out, led last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Sep beating Man Look (11-5) by 8l, 10 ran.
Iconic Sky 11-2 (10-4) Raced in close 5th, quick move to lead after 5th, rider rode finish a circuit early, eased after line, re-joined field soon after, headway into 4th place 3 out, went 3rd between last 2, not recover, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Le Breuil (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
War Creation (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) In touch, weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Rouergate (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up, at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Midtech Valentine 10-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, led when not fluent 2 out, pressed flat, headed towards finish, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Love Lane (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, outpaced before 3 out, went 3rd before last, edged left run-in, soon led, held on close home, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb beating Waiheke (11-4) by nk, 10 ran.
