held up in mid-division, brought down 9th
in touch, headway approaching 8th, ridden 3 out, challenged on inside approaching 2 out, led approaching last, drifted left flat, driven out
held up towards rear, hampered when weakening 9th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
prominent, ridden after 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, hampered and lost place 9th, soon ridden, rallied after 3 out, ran on well to go 2nd from last
held up last, ridden after 8th, soon no chance
chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, mistake 5th, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, ridden and effort 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up in mid-division, ridden 8th, fell 9th
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
Balmoral Queen would have to be respected on recent form, especially with the Ginger McCain stable in good form, but she has yet to prove her effectiveness over this far and a safer bet looks to be Lizzie Bathwick, who is preferred to Mizinky. The selection lost no caste in defeat behind Viciana over fences last time and reverts to hurdles on a fair mark over a trip that she should be able to stay sufficiently well enough. Royal Niece has claims on form but that has all been over much shorter and there is no guarantee that she will get this trip, while Penny's Crown looks to have plenty of weight for what she has achieved. Hilarious looks to be in the grip of the handicapper now, while They Grabbed Me has given little cause for optimism but being trained by Martin Pipe, cannot be ruled out completely. Mizinky has more to do than when winning at Fontwell last time but is at least in winning form so has to be considered but Lizzie Bathwick looks well treated and gets the vote.
Penny's Crown 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 8th, 7th of 13, 24l behind Squantum (10-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Lizzie Bathwick (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Viciana (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd.
Mizinky 10-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 4th, outpacedr 3 out, rallied flat, led last strides, won at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gd beating Windy Spirit (10-10) by a nk, 10 ran.
Hilarious (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 34l behind Sunley Shines (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Niece (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Always prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, beaten when hit last, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Bally Bolshoi (11-3) at Chepstow 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
They Grabbed Me (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up rear, keen, mistake 3rd, progress approaching 10th, soon beaten, 9th of 13, well behind Bar Gayne (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 6th, weakened under pressure before 3 out, 6th of 10, 50l behind Strolling Vagabond (10-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Balmoral Queen 8-1 (10-5) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Polar Gunner (10-9) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
