Crimond gets the vote over Lady Roania and Single Handed, with Crouch End Flyer, Madame Blaze and newcomer Spanish Lace all worth a mention. On the evidence of her four runs so far, Crimond appears to be learning fast, and on the strength of her latest effort at Taunton where she was a close third on her hurdling bow, she has what it takes to come good here. She just needs to learn to settle a bit better, and this slight drop back in trip is in the mare's favour as well, as should be the ground conditions today. Lady Roania opened her account in bumper company here in November, but weakened when tried over today's trip on her second outing over timber here just before Christmas. Single Handed was placed behind a couple of fair sorts at Bangor last time and should benefit from the step up in trip, while all-weather winner Spanish Lace is an interesting newcomer for the Elite Racing Club, given that her dam Kabayil won seven times over hurdles. A pretty open contest can go to Crimond.
Clover Green (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching next, 6th of 16, well behind La Dame Brune (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Crimond (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, good headway after 3 out, led and hit 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Classic Fair (11-2) at Taunton 3m mrs mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Crouch End Flyer 14-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, pushed along and one pace final 3f, 4th of 9, 19l behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Elle Est Si Bonne 150-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Gaspara (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Lady Roania (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden when left 3rd approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 9l behind Tambourine Davis (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Lady Roisin (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Always in rear, 12th of 16, 38l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-5) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Madam Blaze 100-1 (10-10) Towards rear, outpaced 5th, kept on well from 3 out, 3rd of 17, 24l behind Apollo Lady (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Midnight Queen Midnight Legend mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Pollover 10-1 (11-0) 7th of 9, 42l behind True Legend (12-0) at Dingley 2m 4f ptp gd in Apr.
Ruby Dante (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in tch; hdwy when unseated rider in race won by Classi Maureen (11-7) at Cilwendeg 3m ptp hvy in Mar, 8 ran.
Single Handed 9-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Dandygrey Russett (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Time For Perks (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Left 3rd at 7th, led 10th, clear 14th, slipped up 3 out in race won by Boulsdon Boy (12-0) at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd in May, 9 ran.
Fleur Babe 80-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after next, 7th of 14, well behind Gaspara (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Spanish Lace 10-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 6f out, weakened quickly 3f out, eased over 1f out, last of 10, well behind Cape Secret (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Oscar Jewel (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Always behind, 13th of 19, well behind Alternator (11-0) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Thisoneforthegirls 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 12th of 16, 31l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
