held up behind, reminder after 2nd, struggling before 4 out, headway under pressure next, kept on same pace from 2 out, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
raced keenly, with winner, lost place 3rd, headway under pressure after next, went 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner from 2 out
held up behind, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace, weakened last
in touch on outside, chased winner 3rd to before 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
chased leaders in 6th, outpaced before 4 out, ridden to chase leading pair next, kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders, ridden after 4th, soon lost place, weakened 4 out
made all, drew clear from 2 out, easily
Bendant finally came good at Ffos Las six days ago. Di Hamer's seven-year-old has a penalty to carry here, however, and may not be good enough to prevent the mare DIRTY DEAL from completing her hat-trick. The mare showed herself to be well suited by heavy ground when scoring over C&D last month and can defy a further 5lb rise in the weights. Shallow Bay has become expensive to follow but can't be ignored in this grade but the headstrong Gross Prophet may not last home on this ground and Argaum would also prefer a faster surface.
Shallow Bay 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before last, weakened flat, 7th of 17, 22l behind Edgardo Sol (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Pour Changer (FR) 66-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, effort and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression with leaders flat, 4th of 12, 8l behind Ile De Re (11-9) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Dirty Deal 8-1 (11-10) Led into start, tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, every chance 3 out, 2nd and beaten when left in lead last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (5) hvy in Jan beating Abbi Jicaro (10-4) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Finch Flyer (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Keen hold tracking leader, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 21l behind Double Handful (11-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Southerness 33-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Dormouse (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Nov.
Gross Prophet 11-1 (10-10) Disputed lead until went on approaching 2nd, clear to 4th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 16, 18l behind Justazippy (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Hit The Switch 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 3rd, soon behind, tailed off from 5th, 15th of 16, well behind Justazippy (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Bendant 15-8 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3rd, led 3rd, made rest, came clear and in command between last 2, won at Ffos Las 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Esteem (11-9) by 5l, 8 ran.
Argaum (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Held up, not fluent 6th, outpaced before 3 out, last of 6, 21l behind Sophonie (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
