jumped well, led, headed run-in, no extra
prominent, outpaced 10th, no danger after
chased leaders, effort 3 out, led run-in, kept on
towards rear, headway 9th, outpaced 3 out
towards rear, lost touch 8th, soon tailed off
jumped left, close up until weakened approaching 4 out
in touch, outpaced 10th, no danger after
Delray Beach can make the most of the age-allowance to see off the challenge of Cloudless Dawn, with Chickapeakray worth a mention. This race should not take too much winning, and on the evidence so far, Delray Beach must have leading claims of opening her account on these shores. Ferdy Murphy's mare only carries 10st 7lb here, and although well held on both outings over fences in this country so far, at Sedgefield and Kelso, the testing ground should bring her stamina into play. She gets nearly a stone off Cloudless Dawn who has been absent since finishing third in a grade 3 affair at Huntingdon on Boxing Day, and who may struggle if conditions do not improve. Chickapeakray has struggled with her handicap mark over hurdles of late, no doubt forcing connections to go this route. She lacks any experience over fences, but should improve in time. On this occasion though, we shall pin our hopes on Delray Beach.
Cloudless Dawn 5-2fav (10-5) Held up, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Inch Pride (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Ansa The Question 33-1 (11-0) In touch, reminders halfway, lost place approaching 7th, beaten when pulled up 5 out in race won by Em's Royalty (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 20 ran.
Chickapeakray 5-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, soon well behind, last of 5, 25l behind Miss Mitch (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Dunguaire Lady (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Behind, struggling 8th, 7th and beaten when fell 2 out in race won by Echo Point (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Stravaigin 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 11th of 18, well behind Imperial Commander (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sunny Brook 100-1 (9-12) In touch on inside, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 18, 39l behind Imperial Commander (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Delray Beach (FR) 15-8 (10-4) Tracked winner, outpaced 13th, went poor 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 4, 18l behind More Likely (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov chs (4) hvy in Jan.
