mid-division, closed 6th, outpaced before 3 out, well beaten 2 out
held up in touch on inside, went close 2nd 3 out, ridden and edged right flat, stayed on same pace flat
prominent, led 3rd, went slightly left 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 4th and well beaten when not fluent 2 out
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, mistake and well beaten 3 out
held up, not fluent 4th, headway after 4 out, ridden in close 3rd after 3 out, one pace and no impression before last
tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, well held 3 out, went 4th towards finish, no impression
held up, last 5th, behind 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, never on terms, no chance with leaders 3 out
led until 3rd, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
This may be a bit more competitive than first appears. Robins Reef will probably start favourite having got off the mark at the first of asking over hurdles at Ludlow. But a penalty complicates matters as she was almost seven lengths behind BRIERY QUEEN in a Listed bumper at Sandown in March and is now 6lb worse off. Noel Williams' mare has an excellent jumping pedigree so should improve further now she tackles hurdles – she gets the nod. Ethelwyn had every chance when falling at the last at Perth in September and Mystic Sky, The Last Bar and Zara Hope have scope. Oskar's Eva disappointed on her reappearance, however.
Flower Power 8-1 (11-3) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, weakened after 2 out, 11th of 13, dist behind Mardale (10-10) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Robins Reef (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Chased leaders, led before 3 out, ran on strongly, won at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Pink Play (11-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Briery Queen 16-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 19, 11 1/2l behind Hollies Pearl (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f lst (1) gd in Apr.
Cosmic Diamond 25-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, dist behind Ruby Rambler (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Ethelwyn 28-1 (10-5) Mid-division, 4th at the 5th, 2nd 2 out, upsides and every chance when fell last, at Perth 2m (4) gf in Sep.
Mystic Sky 4-1fav (11-3) Midfield, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on well closing stages, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Unbuckled (11-3) at Lingfield 2m (6) pol in Nov.
Nancy's Trix (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led, ridden 4f out, headed 3f out, edged left over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 14 1/2l behind Lamanver Alchemy (10-12) at Warwick 2m (6) gs in Nov.
Oskar's Eva (IRE) 10-3fav (10-7) Led, headed over 2f out, well beaten when back in view final furlong, 7th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Mac Gregory (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (5) gs in Nov.
The Last Bar 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 6f out, soon lost place, rallied to go 3rd over 1f out, never a threat, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Ballyhenry (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m (6) sft in Mar.
Zara Hope (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 17, 4 3/4l behind Lamanver Alchemy (10-12) at Warwick 2m (6) gs in Nov.
