Ile Maurice, Atlantic Jane and Lady Speaker look the three to concentrate on in the opener and the vote is given to Ile Maurice. The selection has been in good form of late and was a fair second behind Dicklers Rose under similar conditions last time out. This looks easier and she need only run up to that mark to win this. Atlantic Jane rates the main danger as she has won her last two races in good style notably when beating Ballyshan last time out. However she is unproven on ground this soft and at likely odds she looks worth taking on. Lady Speaker hails from a yard in form and was a fair fourth behind Camden Bella in a bumper. She is sure to have been well schooled for this her hurdling debut and should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Mrs O Malley is another from a yard in form and should be watched in the market but her overall profile leaves her with plenty to find and for the winner we return to Ile Maurice.
Atlantic Jane 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, led after next, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 3m mdn hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Ballyshan (11-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
Ile Maurice (FR) 6-5 (11-6) Tracked winner, challenged 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Diklers Rose (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Deep Rising 200-1 (10-3) Mid-division, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Harmony Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft in Feb, 18 ran.
Lady Speaker 10-1 (10-10) With leaders, led over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 8l behind Camden Bella (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gd in May.
Mrs O'Malley 15-2 (10-10) Led, headed after 4f, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 22l behind Larkbarrow (10-8) at Haydock 2m mrs nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Ro Eridani 80-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind San Peire (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Verstone (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Laertes (11-2) at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
