in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed briefly 5th, clear when hit 2 out, kept on
led, headed 3rd, led briefly 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened halfway
soon in rear, tailed off 4th and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, soon held
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to chase leader from 2 out, kept on but no chance
mid-division, gradually faded from halfway
Refinement has obvious claims and should complete a hat-trick at the expense of Sweet Oona, with Retro's Girl best of the rest. Jonjo O'Neill's six-year-old mare was always going to be one to follow when sent over timber, having finished fourth in both the Cheltenham and Aintree Champion Bumpers last spring, followed by victory in the Punchestown equivalent in which she turned the tables on The Cool Guy. With that form behind her, she lined up long odds-on for her debut over hurdles at Uttoxeter earlier this month, but had to work hard to hold off the challenge of Sir Pandy. That was her first outing since April though and she will strip fitter here. She will surely jump better as well, and on all known form should have little more than an exercise canter. Sweet Oona always seemed to find at least one too good last term, but is consistent and has been round here before so should be the one to chase the selection home. Hot Lips Page was pulled up at Stratford last April and is best watched, as is Retro's Girl who makes her timber bow. All in all, it can pay to look no further than Refinement.
Hot Lips Page (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Conroy (11-9) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Refinement (IRE) 2-9fav (10-7) Keen and not fluent, mid-division, headway 7th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (E) gs beating Sir Pandy (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Bonnet's Pieces 14-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 12l behind Looks The Business (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (F) gd in Mar.
Ellie Moss 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 24l behind Diamant Noir (11-2) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (H) sft in Mar '03.
Purple Patch 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression after, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Penneyrose Bay (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Retro's Girl (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Led, headed over 3f out, soon outpaced, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Makeabreak (11-2) at Fakenham 2m mrs nhf (H) gd in Mar.
Sweet Oona (FR) 6-1 (10-2) In touch, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Barrys Ark (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Tanmeya 16-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 7f out to chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 23l behind Tartouche (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo mdn fll (D) gd in Jun '04 (Flat).
