led until after 4 out, led again next, headed after last, kept on
pulled hard early towards rear, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, stayed on under pressure to lead after last, stayed on well
chased leader, led after 4 out, headed next, weakening when mistake last
held up well in rear, weakened 5 out
prominent, lost place 3rd, rallied after 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, hard ridden 5th, soon lost place
tracked leaders, hard ridden 5 out, weakened next
This is a bit more competitive than recent renewals. As I Am is a good yardstick as she is holding her form well, winning by nine lengths at Newbury last month. But Don Cantillon's mare, along with Rosie Probert, is a lot more exposed than most of these and is giving 5lb to her rivals. CAROLE'S SPIRIT is unbeaten over hurdles so far and kept on well to score at Newbury last time when a subsequent winner was back in third. She can continue on an upward curve but Thurles winner Our Katie may need further while Cabaret Girl makes her hurdles bow. Keshi Pearl may not have been as good as a couple of these in bumpers but is going to make a decent hurdler judged on her easy victory at Warwick as the well-beaten third won at Exeter on Thursday. Despite showing signs of inexperience, Tonvadosa was a comfortable winner Kelso earlier this month and is another with plenty of scope.
As I Am (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Led in start, jumped well, made all, clear approaching 2nd until after 4 out, came clear again before last, kept on strongly flat, ridden out, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) sft in Nov beating The Pirate's Queen (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Cabaret Girl 40-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led, driven and headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no chance with leaders final furlong, 4th of 15, 9l behind The Govaness (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat lst (1) gd in Nov.
Carole's Spirit 11-8fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 3 out, pressed 2 out, until after last, kept on well, won at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Fabrika (10-10) by 6l, 7 ran.
Keshi Pearl 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before 7th, mistake next, clear when reached for 2 out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Our Pollyanna (10-12) by 9l, 13 ran.
Me And Ben (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Settled in rear but in touch, weakened 10th, modest 4th, 4th of 5, 48l behind Une Artiste (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares nov ch (4) gs.
Our Katie (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, progress to lead 3 out, drew clear before next and stayed on well, comfortably,, won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl in Nov beating Tikka Light (10-13) by 9l, 14 ran.
Rosie Probert 8-1 (11-0) Chased winner until 4th, stayed in 3rd place, ridden between last 2, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 13l behind As I Am (11-0) at Newbury 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Tonvadosa 15-8fav (10-10) Tracked leader, hit 9th, led next, ridden out, won at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Dominetta Vitali (10-10) by 5l, 7 ran.
