with leader, led 2nd, headed 6th, struggling from 10th
chased leaders, joint winner 9th, until weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on from last
chased leaders, hit 7th, lost place next, weakened 3 out
always behind, hit 9th, weakened 4 out, in 5th when blundered badly 3 out
led to 2nd, led again 6th, ridden after 2 out, all out
Viciana makes a quick reappearance and gets the vote over Lizzie Bathwick, Sunny South East and Lady Harriet. Viciana found the progressive De Blanc too good on her chase debut at Towcester just five days ago and quickly reverts back to the smaller obstacles in a bid to register her second career win. The less testing finish and shorter trip should be to her advantage and Lucy Wadham's charge looks the one to beat. There were excuses for Lizzie Bathwick at Wincanton last month as she lost her action and was pulled up before four out. She too reverts to the smaller obstacles but will be all the better for the run, as this will be only her second outing of the year. Sunny South East was pulled up over fences at Fakenham and has to give weight away all round, while Lady Harriet should do better over today's trip, having stayed on over 18 furlongs at Fontwell three weeks ago. Viciana has been brought along steadily, and although she will almost certainly be going back over fences, is the one to beat here.
Sunny South East (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) In touch, lost place 9th, driven along 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Sconced (10-5) at Fakenham 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan, 6 ran.
Lady Harriet 20-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Sunley Shines (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lizzie Bathwick (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-2) Towards rear, headway from 10th, ridden when pulled up 4 out in race won by First De La Brunie (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Simple Glory (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders until fell 4 out in race won by She's Our Native (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Top Gale (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Soon behind and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Ben's Turn (10-10) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Viciana 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, went 2nd 13th, no chance from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 16l behind De Blanc (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f mrs nov chs (4) gs.
