behind, hampered 2nd, always in rear
held up, headway 4th, ridden to chase winner when hit 2 out, weakened flat
led 1st, ridden clear approaching last, ran on well
behind, jumped left 2nd, soon ridden along, tailed off from 5th
keen, racing wide but in touch, chased winner 4th until approaching 2 out, went 2nd again last, never dangerous
stumbled and unseated rider 1st
in touch, lost place 3rd, rallied 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
in touch, weakened 3 out
led to 1st, prominent but weakened 4th
prominent until weakened approaching 3 out
behind when hampered 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before last
Irish Blessing, Rockys Girl,Lady Maranzi and Grand Prairie look the principals in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Irish Blessing. The selection won well in similar grade last time when beating Makandy. That horse has since franked the form and under similar conditions here he will be hard to beat. Rockys Girl rates the main danger on her latest second behind Lady Maranzi, she should gain her revenge on that rival here on these revised terms. Grand Prairie would win this easily if he put his best foot forward but that is a big if. Of the remainder Mickey Pearce is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Irish Blessing.
Irish Blessing (USA) 6-1jt-fav (11-6) Held up, headway 3 out, led 2 out, clear when hit last, eased flat, won at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan beating Makandy (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Grand Prairie (SWE) 7-1 (11-9) Raced wide, chased leaders, led 6th, headed before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 13l behind Better Moment (11-7) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Lady Maranzi 9-1 (11-1) In touch, hit 1st, led 5th to after 3 out, led again approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on, won at Towcester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft beating Rockys Girl (10-2) by 13l, 16 ran.
Bonjour Bond (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 17, 35l behind The Wife's Sister (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy.
Shalati Princess 28-1 (10-3) Prominent until weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 32l behind Bally Bolshoi (11-3) at Chepstow 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Rockys Girl 14-1 (10-2) Held up, jumped left 3rd, headway approaching 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Lady Maranzi (11-1) at Towcester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Mickey Pearce (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) In touch, every chance after 7th, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 17, 15l behind The Wife's Sister (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy.
Little Villain (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) In touch, slightly hampered 1st, brought down 3rd brought down at the 3rd in race won by The Wife's Sister (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy, 17 ran.
