tracked leader, slow 2nd, under pressure before 4 out, rallied to challenge approaching 2 out, no extra closing stages and lost 2nd last strides
led until 5 out, led again approaching next, headed before 3 out, weakened 2nd last
chased leaders, headway to lead 5 out, headed before next, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, took closer order halfway, outpaced after 3 out, rallied closing stages, stayed on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, driven clear after next, ran on strongly, eased near finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
BELLA will prove popular having added a facile win in novice hurdle company to her earlier victory in a Class 2 handicap at Ludlow. David Pipe's mare looks the one to beat in her current form. Tara The Tiger also won a novices' event at Carlisle last time and makes her handicap debut along with Libby Mae, a course regular who won a couple of bumpers here before scoring over these hurdles. The remaining trio are harder to fancy on their recent modest efforts, though Attention Seaker made the frame at Kelso in December.
Bella (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Always prominent, joined leader 3rd, led approaching 3 out, headed soon after, rallied to lead again before 2 out, drew clear last, readily (2 hurdles ommited), won at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Ayla's Emperor (10-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Whatdoesthefoxsay (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outside, pecked 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Roja Dove (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Slowly away, in rear, some headway and 6th after 3 out, never on terms, weakened before next, 6th of 9, 33 3/4l behind Card Game (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Glen Countess (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, pushed along halfway and in rear, soon pulled up, at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Attention Seaker 9-1 (11-6) In touch on inside, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Tanarpino (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Libby Mae (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace, took 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Waiting Patiently (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Jan.
Tara The Tiger 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, closed after 5th, challenged on inside 2 out, soon squeezed through to lead, clear from last, stayed on, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb beating Cherry Bomb (11-0) by 19l, 8 ran.
