held up mid-division, headway to track leading pair 3 out, led between last 2, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat
mid-division on inside, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened before next
led, headed 6th, with leader, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied between last 2, stayed on to lead again flat, all out
chased leaders, outpaced when hit 3 out, no impression from next
chased leaders, lost place 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, ridden 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, headway when blundered and dropped rear 5th, headway under pressure after 3 out, went 5th next, never able to challenge
raced keenly, tracked winner, led 6th, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened and lost 3rd when mistake last
mid-division, headway to go 4th 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to take 3rd last, never troubled leading pair
in touch on inside, lost place 3 out, weakened before next
Plenty of in-form performers in this competitive handicap that concludes the card, and from a shortlist of Laharna, Painted Sky, Weststern and FLASH HARRIET, it is the last-named who is selected. John Mackie's mare was a faller at Doncaster last time out when making it no further than the first, however on her previous form she looks interesting. A second to subsequent Cheltenham winner Peddlers Cross in December was followed with a good fourth at Huntingdon and this mark of 91 looks feasible in her quest for a maiden success. Laharna has been in consistent form over fences but was eventually well-held at Fontwell last time. That track may not have been ideal however and he is not one to write off just yet. General Smith's Warwick third to Golden Square reads well, Aboukir Bay returns to hurdling after a solid Folkestone third, whilst Painted Sky's winning form has come on good ground and he is now just 4lb higher than his last winning mark. He should be watched closely in the betting, as should Kayf Commander as he returns from a break. Alfloramoor's second to I've Been Framed has since been exposed as fairly modest form, so a bigger threat may be Weststern. He has been off since an average Doncaster run in December, but this strong traveller is considered a threat here in a race that should be run to suit. Irish Symphony ran well last month when second to Hidden Keel and a mark of 104 for this handicap debut may be workable, however it is her stablemate Flash Harriet who is preferred.
Irish Symphony (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3rd, led 2 out, headed last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Hidden Keel (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Weststern (GER) 13-2fav (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 18, 13l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Alfloramoor 11-4 (10-5) Led until 4th, chased winner, closed 2 out, not fluent last, no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind I've Been Framed (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Kayf Commander 10-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 2 out, no impression from last, 5th of 10, 18l behind Phoenix Eye (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Painted Sky 33-1 (11-4) Led, headed last, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 4l behind Hi Dancer (11-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Mean Machine (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up behind, fell 3rd, in a race won by Golden Square (9-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Aboukir Bay (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led until after 3rd, chased leader, led again 6th, strongly pressed 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Wishes Or Watches (9-7) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Marino Prince (FR) 5-1 (10-5) Held up, closed 2nd, went 2nd 5th, led and going well approaching 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly when fell last, in a race won by Salontyre (9-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
General Smith 9-1 (10-11) Held up, headway after 3 out, 4th and outpaced when mistake next, ridden and kept on under pressure to go 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Golden Square (9-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Flash Harriet 16-1 (10-7) In touch when fell 1st, in a race won by Knight In Purple (10-4) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd, 18 ran.
Laharna 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 40l behind Ray Mond (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
