bit keen early, tracked leaders until behind from 5th, never on terms after
held up in last pair, closer in 3rd place 5th, 2nd 13th, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching the last, stayed on well, driven out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, chased winner and one pace approaching the last, lost 2nd close home
chased leader until ridden 13th, pecked and lost place next, ridden and weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, 3rd and outpaced before 2 out, kept on run-in, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
NonRunner
An open-looking mares’ handicap but it does feature a recent winner in Song Saa, though the Kempton scorer’s stamina is unproven over this trip. Black Tulip is proving better over fences than hurdles but she is another who doesn’t have unlimited reserves of stamina, though had excuses when pulled up last time at Uttoxeter. The Bay Birch and Sparkling River are out of sorts but Sheneededtherun is a previous course and distance winner. CARNSPINDLE (NAP) didn’t make her fencing bow until November and was well beaten. But that has turned out to be a hot race and this dour stayer will know more today.
Carnspindle (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in last, ridden 4 out, soon struggling, 4th of 5, 27 3/4l behind Molly The Dolly (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m (3) gs in Nov.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up well in rear, some headway before 4 out, weakening when pulled up before last, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Song Saa 8-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, tracked leader 3rd, led 6th, made rest, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Un Beau Roman (11-6) by 6l, 9 ran.
Black Tulip 3-1fav (11-4) Blundered and rider lost iron briefly 1st, mid-division, tracked leaders 8th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Sheneededtherun (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, effort after 3 out, no impression, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Pretty Miss Mahler (10-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Sparkling River (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, not fluent and soon lost place, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.