held up, headway 8th to track leaders, pushed along 4 out, soon outpaced
led, ridden and headed between last 2, one pace run in
held up in rear, headway 10th, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on
tracked leaders, effort when mistake 3 out, soon one pace
held up in touch, hampered 7th, weakened 10th, soon tailed off
Many chances here with the ultra-consistent Midlem Melody expected to make full use of her race fitness in order to thwart the claims of Sabi Sand. Midlem Melody is no worldbeater by any stretch of the imagination but she is tough, consistent and appears to handle any surface. She won well at Carlisle over two miles and with Graham Lee on board, she has many more positives than negatives in the context of this race. Sabi Sand was comprehensively outclassed in the EBF Novices Final at Uttoxeter. She is much better than that and we will watch her run with regard to targets later in the season. Ella Falls was an out-and-out stayer over hurdles and may find this trip on the short side. Any rain would be most welcomed by True Rose. As a daughter of Roselier, she'd prefer it a bit softer but has shown up well on her previously good ground starts. Midlem Melody is given our vote in the Mares' Only Chase.
