Pepite Rose has kept decent company since scoring in a handicap at Newbury in March. BABY SHINE has also been competing in better class races than the majority of these and wasn't beaten far at Newbury last time. She might be the value today as there is certain to be some support for the relatively unexposed pair Highland Retreat and Top Totti. The former deserves respect having got off the mark over fences when dropped to this trip at Huntingdon but the latter won over 3m at Uttoxeter and looks a real stayer in the making. Wexford runner-up Emily Gray is open to improvement but faces a stiff task on these terms, as does Bangor winner Golden Sparkle.
Pepite Rose (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place after 3 out, 8th of 10, 46l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) sft.
Baby Shine (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, 2nd 3 out, 6 lengths down last, no extra and lost 2nd final 175 yards, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Bertie Boru (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Emily Gray (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden from 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-7) at Wexford 2m 3f beg chs in Nov.
Golden Sparkle (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leader from 1st, led 4 out, drew clear on bit from 2 out, comfortably, won at Bangor 2m 4f (4) hvy beating Lady Kathleen (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Highland Retreat 4-6fav (11-0) Sometimes jumped left, made all, pushed clear between last two, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares nov ch (4) gs beating Mickie (11-0) by 9l, 5 ran.
Top Totti 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, closed when left in lead 10th, headed 13th, led again 3 out, not fluent 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) sft beating Cloudy Copper (11-1) by 3l, 5 ran.
