tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out, led between last 2, soon clear, comfortably
pressed leader, led briefly 6th, reminder after 3 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, soon no chance with winner
keen early, close up on outside, driven and one pace after 2 out, soon no chance with front pair
made most, headed briefly 6th, not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, soon weakened
THE WICKET CHICKEN was second to the odds-on Irish Roe last time but had earlier won her hurdling debut at Fontwell in good style. She has little to fear from these and can defy a penalty. Barely Black finished a well beaten runner-up here earlier but failed to show any improvement at Cartmel last month while Shine Away has been off the track for over a year and Mac Bella has shown nothing so far.
The Wicket Chicken (IRE) 5-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 2 out, pressed last and soon ridden, headed run-in, kept on and well held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Irish Roe (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in Jul.
Barely Black (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, some headway 8th, went 4th after 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 17 1/4l behind Its Pandorama (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn (5) gs in Jun.
Mac Bella 33-1 (11-0) In rear, fell 1st, at Towcester 2m mdn (4) gf in May.
Shine Away (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, reminders after 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off 11th, pulled up, at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
