behind, effort 3 out, never dangerous
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on to lead again close home
held up, ridden and some headway 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
in touch, behind from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden and weakened from 3 out, pulled up before next
towards rear, headway 6th, weakened next
mid-division, ridden and some headway 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold towards rear, weakened and behind when pulled up 2 out
led and keen until after 2nd, remained close up, ridden 3 out, remote 4th when fell 2 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden 2 out, headed close home, kept on
Not a strong contest by any stretch of the imagination but it looks a good opportunity for Kilmeny who can get off the mark over hurdles. A four-time winner on the level, the daughter of Royal Abjar looked likely to score last time at Fontwell but tired in the testing conditions and will be better served by the better ground and today's shorter trip. The lightly raced Researcher landed a Beverley handicap off a mark of 62 for former handler Ralph Beckett in April but her form tailed off badly and the four-year-old has been soundly beaten on both starts over timber to date so has something to find with the selection. Dancing Pearl has been struggling to last home in her races and is readily opposed while Star Seventeen ran as though something was amiss last week on the Flat but has claims on an all-weather victory off a mark of 63 in October. Ex-German performer Plaisance is difficult to assess but would not need to be anything special on his hurdling debut to figure at this level.
