Charlotte Vale, Sonnengold and Nobodys Perfect are the three to concentrate on in this competitive opener and the vote is given to Charlotte Vale. The selection was a fair second behind Sabreflight at Wetherby last time and she looks the type who could have a fair future over hurdles. She should handle the ground and with more improvement likely she is taken to lead them home. Sonnengold rates the main danger on her best form as she will relish these ground conditions. However, she ran a shocker last time at Ludlow and she is hard to put forward with any confidence on the back of that effort. Nobodys Perfect was a good second behind Saraba at Huntingdon last time on ground that was quicker than ideal for her. She will be more at home on this ground and she does have form over this course and distance so has to be considered. Pearl Fisher ran well on heavy ground at Market Rasen last time when finishing second behind Yenaled, so she is another to factor in, but for the winner we are happy to stick with Charlotte Vale.
Air of Affection 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 6th, one pace, 4th of 9, 20l behind Harmony Brig (11-9) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Charlotte Vale 7-4fav (11-7) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner next, hit 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Sabreflight (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sonnengold (GER) 7-2 (11-1) Prominent to 9th, soon tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Brankley Boy (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Commanche Sioux 12-1 (10-4) In rear, jumped slowly 4th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Aces Four (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 8 ran.
Flame of Zara 12-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden 5th, soon struggling, 10th of 13, 35l behind Nerone (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Lady Speaker 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, no impression, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Tous Chez (11-0) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Nobodys Perfect (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders throughout, ridden 3 out, chased clear leader 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Saraba (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Pearl Fisher (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led, headed after 1st, led again after 3 out, headed next, one pace, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Yenaled (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy.
