soon led, headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, headway to lead approaching 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, held on near finish
held up in touch, steady headway from 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression on leading duo
steadied start, pulled hard in rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in 5th, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along on outside and effort over 2f out, one pace in 4th inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, no chance final 2f
chased leader, challenged 3f out, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened approaching final furlong
This closing contest is a tricky puzzle to solve so our preference for AINE'S DELIGHT over Markhesa and Jewelled is marginal. Andrew Turnell's filly won nicely over slightly further at the back end of last season and returns to race off a 5lb higher mark. That appears fair and she has won over this trip too, so the biggest concerns surround her fitness and ability to cope with this ground. In a race full of imponderables it's worth chancing that she can overcome both obstacles, especially as her half-sister Blue Bajan has smart winning form on ground with cut. Miss Bootylishes would have solid claims on much of her winter form but the mare ran very poorly when returned to turf last weekend and can be opposed with that in mind, so instead we turn to Markhesa as the main threat. Jim Boyle's filly ran reasonably at Lingfield last time and gets to race off the same mark here so must enter calculations. Jewelled is reliable but pays the price by remaining a little high in the weights and that's the reason, more than her attitude, that she remains a maiden after 12 starts. That said she is best at this trip and Keiren Fox gets a tune out of her so a big run is likely. Navene likes this ground but has questions to answer having shown nothing on her sole 2009 start although the tongue-tied applied here may help, however at this stage Light Dubai looks a more likely type. Mick Channon has had a solid start to the year and this daughter of Fantastic Light could add to it if coping with the drop in trip as she looks fairly treated and copes with cut. Dr Wintringham has questions to answer in her current mood but is only 5lbs higher than when last successful but with doubts surrounding her ability to run to her best we'll return to Aine's Delight.
Jewelled 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader 2f, remained in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, last of 8, 6l behind Lady Kent (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Miss Bootylishes 9-2 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 9l behind Paquerettza (9-0) at Doncaster 1m fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gs in Mar.
Light Dubai (IRE) 11-1 (8-0) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Hollow Green (7-10) at Ffos Las 1m 2f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Navene (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders and pulled hard, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind West End Lad (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Aine's Delight (IRE) 22-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, hung left centre of course and led 2f out, in command final furlong, kept on well, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct beating Broughtons Paradis (9-1) by 2l, 16 ran.
Dr Wintringham (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 6l behind Dajen (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Markhesa 18-1 (8-4) Close up, not clear run from 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on near finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Charlie Smirke (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Shared Moment (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, tracking leaders, headway to lead 7f out, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 5l behind Hurakan (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
Second To Nun (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Raced wide, close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, behind from over 1f out, last of 12, 35l behind French Art (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
