tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
in touch, driven and effort when 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened
always prominent, led 4 out, driven clear 2 out, stayed on well, eased near finish
in touch, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, lost place 4 out
always behind, mistake 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and chased leaders next, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
with leaders, led 5th, headed 4 out, no impression when hit 2 out
led, hit and headed 5th, chased leaders, ridden and no impression from 3 out
keen early in rear, not fluent, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, lost place 4 out, tailed off from 3 out
towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and no impression
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
The shortlist contains Jontys'Lass, Barton Flower, Diklers Rose and Dormy Two, with the vote going to Granny Shona. Beautifully-bred, Granny Shona won her bumper well enough and, if the market vibe is good, she looks set to play a leading part in this race. Jontys'Lass's fourth to Scotmail last time was a good effort and she is respected, while Barton Flower has run well in being second to Crow Wood and Spring Breeze and has to be respected at this level. Big Bertha has won over 12 furlongs on the all-weather, while Cadeaux Rouge's form is little above selling level. Cloudless Dawn has shown a little promise, while Diklers Rose will appreciate this trip a lot better than at Sedgefield a few days ago, and she is very much respected. Dormy Two's novice form of last season gets her a very good mention, while much as Shinko Femme has won on the Flat, she could not be strongly fancied here. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Granny Shona.
Barton Flower 11-2 (10-5) Chased leader to 5th, ridden 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 19, 10l behind Spring Breeze (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Cadeaux Rouge (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up, headway after 2 out, hampered before last, kept on under pressure flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Wardash (11-6) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gd in Oct.
Cloudless Dawn 33-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 27l behind Nor'nor'east (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Oct.
Diklers Rose (IRE) 15-8jt-fav (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden, no impression, 4th of 11, 13l behind Charlotte Vale (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (E) gs.
Dormy Two (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Monte Vista (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft in Oct '04.
Fae Taylor (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Always behind, 10th of 11, well behind Zaffie Parson (10-12) at Hexham 2m nhf (H) sft.
Granny Shona (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Towcester 2m mrs nhf (H) gf in Apr beating Martovic (11-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Jontys'lass 40-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 19l behind Scotmail (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs.
