raced keenly, led to 5th, lost place and behind when fell next
always behind, tailed off 3 out
prominent, headway 3 out, led next, drew clear from last
mid-division, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up behind, steady headway 5th, driven to chase leaders before 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leader, led 5th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no impression last
always behind, tailed off 3 out
keen early, in touch, lost place 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, challenged 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, no impression when hit last
mid-division, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
in touch, blundered 4th, mistake next, soon lost place, no danger after
MVUTO should have dumped her maiden's tag prior to this but Lucy Wadham's filly is given another chance to do so here and she carries our confidence but there should be strong challenges from both Je Ne Sais Plus and Pokanoket. The pick has found just one too good on both starts over timber including in a better Novice hurdle on her penultimate try. She squandered a decent opportunity in a similar race to this last time but the winner has proved quite useful and her neck defeat that day represents the best form here. Je Ne Sais Plus was well beaten in one of these races last time but only has two pounds to find on the selection according to official ratings. Looking at the form lines in reality she probably has to find more than that but she's entitled to improve and be close. Malcolm Jefferson's Pokanoket has been solid in her last few starts and has only really found some decent sorts too good on her latest run so she should be able to mount a challenge. Outside these three Gaye Starlet is the only another to consider after a solid bumper campaign but with jumping ability having to be taken on faith with Alan King's runner we instead turn to Mvuto.
Alinghi (GER) 100-1 (10-5) Led, keen, clear 4th, headed after next, hung left and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Covert Mission (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Crosby Jemma 22-1 (11-7) Towards rear, blundered 2nd, never dangerouus, 10th of 17, 26l behind Three Thieves (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Edgefour (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden 6th, eased 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Faith And Reason (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sep, 16 ran.
Gaye Starlet (IRE) 6-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, improved over 4f out, one pace over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 8l behind Willow Wren (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m N H flat lst (6) gd in Mar.
Je Ne Sais Plus (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, smooth headway after 5th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, soon held, stumbled last, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Opatja (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Ordelia 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out, 6th of 7, 42l behind Alegralil (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd.
Pokanoket (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, hit 5th, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no chance with first 2, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Smarties Party (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Scar Tissue 28-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 4th, ridden and weakened 7th, soon tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Master Wells (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f nov sell hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Tilly Shilling (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 16, 33l behind Inchlaggan (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct '07.
Won More Night 28-1 (10-6) In rear, ridden after 3 out, some headway, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 34l behind Fujin Dancer (10-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Blush Tone 20-1 (10-7) In touch, not fluent 2nd, led approaching 3rd, headed soon after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Kijivu (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Mvuto 6-4fav (10-0) Held up in touch, under pressure before 2 out, chased winner after last, kept on strongly, 2nd of 13, nk behind Midsummer Magic (10-9) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan.
