held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, faded approaching last
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 4th, lost place from next
chased leaders, close up 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, no chance with winner
led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders on inside, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, weakened from 3 out
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders on outer approaching 4th, quickened to lead approaching 2 out, soon clear
Prioryjo has made the frame on both starts under Denis O'Regan so makes the short-list along with Penny Queen but preference is for DEVILS DELIGHT. The booking of O'Regan for Prioryjo looks significant given his record aboard Martin Todhunter's mare and Prioryjo should certainly have a say in the outcome but the booking of Graham Lee for Devils delight also takes the eye and Jimmy Moffatt's runner is preferred. The selection came within a quarter of a length of success on the only occasion that she's been partnered by Lee and she could well go one better this time as she's able to race from a 2lb lower mark than when a close third at Newcastle. Penny Queen is progressing with racing and could be more at home in handicap company whilst Pacific Bay and Etoile D'Or may have more to offer for their respective yards but the vote's awarded to Devils Delight.
Prioryjo 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 5th, chased winner 2 out, one pace flat, no impression, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Crystal Runner (10-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb.
Penny Queen 18-1 (11-2) Chased leader after 1st until slowed up 3rd, remained handy, went moderate 3rd after 2 out, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Playing With Fire (10-13) at Leicester 2m mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Mistic Academy (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Diklers Oscar (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Hazy Oaks 22-1 (10-12) Always behind, 14th of 15, well behind Vivarini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Basford Lass 16-1 (11-6) Behind, ridden after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by My Skipper (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Led, headed after 4 out, outpaced next, kept on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 32l behind Nous Voila (11-3) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Devils Delight (IRE) 7-4fav (9-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 2nd, led before 4th, hit and headed 6th, ridden after 3 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Crystal Runner (10-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb.
Pacific Bay (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Held up, hit 5th, behind when fell 4 out, in a race won by Drumshambo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Cat Six (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Hdwy 10; led aft 4 out; sn clr, won at Alnwick 2m 4f ptp gd in Dec beating Grande Monsieur (12-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
