led, headed 5th, chased leader after, mistake 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to lead closing stages
keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, mistake next
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, mistake 5th, never near leaders
close up, chased leader after 3rd, led 5th, clear approaching 2 out, blundered last, headed closing stages
pulled hard in rear, never near leaders
pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in rear, weakened over 3 out
held up, mistake 4th, kept on never near leaders
in rear, mistake 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
keen, tracked leaders, well beaten 5th when unsteated rider last
High Life has proven to be expensive to follow but with Alan King's horses back among the winners now the mare looks worth one more chance here in a race where the main threats look to be Annie's Answer and Barton Belle. The last mentioned has solid claims on her bumper form but has yet to translate that over hurdles so she may be best watched. Being a four-year-old, the Phillip Hobbs-trained Picacho receives weight but is hard to back with confidence on her hurdling debut, while a market move for Queen of Song would be of interest now that the yard of Gary Moore is back among the winners. Annie's Answer showed progressive form in bumpers and is entitled to improve on the form shown on her hurdling debut last month but she faces no easy task against High Life, who gets the vote.
Annie's Answer (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Led, headed and outpaced when hit 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 12, 8l behind Dancer's Serenade (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Ashwell Rose 25-1 (8-13) Always behind, last of 13, well behind Bienheureux (9-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcap (6) fbs in Jul (Flat).
Barton Belle 4-5fav (10-11) Tracked leaders on inside, smooth headway 3f out, led on bit over 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Jun beating Red Scally (10-9) by 12l, 12 ran.
Cherry Pye 150-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 21l behind Dandygrey Russett (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Circus Rose 12-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 16l behind Gaelic Gift (10-10) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Danzare 200-1 (10-0) Towards rear, jumped left 2nd, weakened 6th pulled up 2 out in race won by Siberian Highness (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan '06, 14 ran.
High Life 11-10fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, mistake and headed next, no extra, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Just Poppytee (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Navelina 40-1 (10-11) Held up, outpaced 5f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, well behind Tazbar (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Persona (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner 2 out, outpaced, 2nd of 8, 29l behind Shatabdi (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
Phardessa 15-8fav (11-5) Pulled hard, led after 3f to 6f out, weakened quickly and soon tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Queen of Song 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 37l behind Shatabdi (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
Sharp Action 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led after 5f, headed over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 7, 33l behind Debauchery (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Simply St Lucia 4-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Orpen Wide (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Sister Gee (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, gradually weakened, 7th of 10, 7l behind Louisiade (9-4) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs (Flat).
Sudden Impulse 7-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 3rd, effort 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Arisea (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Tcherina (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, mistake 5th, weakening when slightly hampered 7th, 4th of 7, 41l behind Roll Along (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Wicked Lady (UAE) 33-1 (8-12) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 6l behind Samarinda (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Picacho (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) In rear, effort 3f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 13l behind Malakiya (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
