A P McCoy gets the leg up on Definite Ruby for Nicky Henderson and she'll be a short price to get off the mark having only gone down by half-a-length at Doncaster last month. But, at the likely odds, we'll take a chance on SHADY LANE. Alan King's mare is definitely improving with experience and there was a lot to like about her latest third at Wincanton where she stayed on nicely in the closing stages. Alder Mairi will find this easier than the Listed race she contested last time while Enchanting Smile has finished second at Exeter and Ffos Las this season and can't be ignored.
Alder Mairi (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in touch, lost place approaching 3rd, rallied after 2 out, blundered last, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 36l behind She Ranks Me (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f mares Listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
Bright Light 66-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, weakened after 7th, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Glorious Twelfth (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Cairanne 14-1 (8-10) Mid-division, driven forward to lead over 8f out, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, gradually weakened, 7th of 8, 16l behind Sweet Liberta (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan (flat).
Definite Ruby (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Eleven Fifty Nine (11-2) at Doncaster 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Enchanting Smile (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Pulled hard in rear, headway 3 out, led after next, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Accordingtopalm (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Rachael's Ruby 66-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, chasing leaders when badly hampered and fell 2nd, in a race won by Hidden Identity (11-3) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Shady Lane 5-1 (10-10) Held up in rear , headway 3 out, effort & chance next, no extra run in, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Ballinahow Star (11-3) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Witchesintune 20-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4th, weakened 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind Flaming Charmer (11-4) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Jaja De Jau 16-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, blundered 5th, well beaten before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Dollar Bill (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
