chased leader, led approaching 4 out, joined 2 out, upsides last, led narrowly final 50 yards, headed towards finish
chased leaders, in 3rd and ridden when switched right approaching last, stayed on gamely to lead towards finish
led, headed approaching 4 out, ridden to join leader 2 out until headed narrowly final 50 yards, no extra
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
chased leaders in 3rd, weakened approaching 4 out
in touch, mistake 1st, in rear from next, tailed off from 4th
towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd, pushed along after 4th, soon well behind
Not a lot of competition here, with Alegralil and DIKLERS OSCAR standing out at the weights, and the latter is our pick. Keith Reveley's mare was last seen winning easily in a Newcastle maiden hurdle on soft ground, but she also acts on a sound surface. Her form in novices' company prior to that success was strong in the context of this race and she looks capable of holding her form to win this. Alegralil was not disgraced in a Grade 2 mares race here last time out, having won all her previous four races in bumpers and novices' hurdles. She too acts on a sound surface, though most of her form has been on good to soft, but she should be capable of going very close. Diavoleria was also a recent Newcastle scorer in similar company to this and she is capable of further improvement, though it is doubtful that she will find sufficient to win again today. A better proposition looks to be the Reveley second string, Karingreason, who relished a sound surface when scoring at Musselburgh last month, which looked an improvement. Even so, she has over 14 lengths to find with Alegralil, and we will take both of them on with Diklers Oscar.
Alegralil 9-2 (11-0) Held up, headway after 4 out, every chance when blundered badly 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 12, 14l behind Zarinava (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Diavoleria 5-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, left mid-division after 6th, headway 10th, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb beating Bollin Fiona (10-9) by 5l, 15 ran.
Diklers Oscar (IRE) 4-7fav (11-2) Made all, drew clear on bit from 2 out, easily, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Gwyre (10-5) by 11l, 16 ran.
Karingreason 9-2 (11-0) In touch, headway 4 out, led approaching next, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Aint She The Lady (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Aega 66-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, some late headway, never dangerous, 5th of 14, 19l behind No Rules (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Hi Ho Silvia 80-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 15, 26l behind Wayward Prince (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Morello Mist 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, took remote 4th near line, never a factor, 4th of 14, well behind Banjaxed Girl (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Queen Octavia 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mrs Fawlty (11-1) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
