held up, headway after 7th, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden to lead last, headed flat, not quicken
prominent, took keen hold, pushed along, weakened after 7th
in touch, jumped slowly 3rd, weakened when pecked 6th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, behind from 7th
chased leader to 3rd, remained prominent, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, chased leader 3rd until not fluent 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, not always fluent, some headway approaching 3 out, no further progress
in touch, raced keenly, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, edged slightly left between last 2, led flat, ridden out
held up in rear, pulled hard, awkward 1st, struggling 6th, tailed off
led, not fluent 3 out, edged right after 2 out, headed and not fluent last, weakened flat
mid-division, raced keenly, headway approaching 7th, one pace when mistake last
RAVELLO BAY could outclass this field but if she fails to deliver then Alflora Dora and Wistow appeal as the likeliest beneficiaries. Nicky Henderson had high hopes for his mare following her good performances in bumpers but she broke a blood vessel on her seasonal reappearance at Wincanton and finished well beaten. Connections have given her plenty of time and it's to be hoped that she can begin to live up to those expectations by scoring here. Alfora Dora shaped nicely on her jumping bow at Kempton behind some fair sorts and the way that she stayed on suggests that she'll benefit from being stepped up in trip. Wistow showed improved form over course and distance on her penultimate start and ran to a similar level at Ludlow on her latest start. She will need to improve if the other two fulfil their potential but she sets a decent benchmark and could take the race if they fail to do so. Purely By Chance is one of few others worthy of mention but we'll be hoping that Ravello Bay can leave her problems behind.
Alflora Dora 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, not fluent 3 out, effort before next, stayed on same pace, 6th of 16, 12l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Another Present (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, in touch, lost place approaching 6th, headway again approaching 4 out, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 10, 13l behind Castlecrossings (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan '08.
Ma Burls 200-1 (10-6) Behind, awkward 3rd, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Bonikos (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Melody (FR) (8-12) behind Pont Aux Loups (8-8) at Langon 1m 3f stk gd in Apr '07, 11 ran (Flat).
Midsummer Legend 20-1 (10-5) Led, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 10l behind Santia (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gd in May.
Molly Rodgers (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division best, no extra from over 4f out, 14th of 16, well behind The Bishop Looney (11-5) at Tralee 2m nhf gs in Sept.
Moonlit Path Shambo mare, half-sister to several winning jumpers.
Ravello Bay 4-5fav (10-5) Chased winner, took close to order 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Tchico Polos (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Tara Whale 80-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 13th of 16, well behind Finney (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn nhf (6) gs.
Purely By Chance 33-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders to 3rd, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Amore Mio (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Sawpit Solitaire 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway after 5th, hit next, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 29l behind Art Exhibition (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bitesize 150-1 (10-1) Mid-division, not fluent, in rear after 3rd, mistake 6th, lost touch after next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Star Lord (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Mrs Fawlty (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tendency to jump left, chased leader to 3rd, soon steadied, in touch when slipped on landing and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Silk Affair (10-4) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Wistow 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, hit 8th, switched left after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 3l behind Dancingwithbubbles (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
