always behind, pushed along and struggling after 3rd, soon lost touch, no chance after, tailed off
held up in touch, hit 5th and pushed along, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
held up in touch in 5th, not fluent 1st, driven along in 4th before 2 out, stayed on run-in, went 3rd final 75 yards and closed on 2nd but no chance with winner
held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside tracking leaders before 3 out, 2nd 3 out until before next, soon pushed along, regained 2nd 2 out, plugged on run-in but no chance with winner
chased leader, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed before 2 out, 3rd and well held when mistake last, hung right under pressure run-in, weakened into 4th final 75 yards
led until approaching 4th, chased leader until 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
last pair, never involved, tailing off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leading trio, 2nd after 3 out, led going well before next, shaken up and kept on strongly from last
A distinct lack of recent winning form characterises this contest but HANDPICKED is given the nod with Jack Sherwood booked for the ride. Henry Daly's mare has not run too badly on her last three outings - all at Ludlow - and her latest mid-division finish in a competitive handicap won by Unison reads well enough in the context of this race. She seems best going right-handed over this trip on quick ground and should give a decent account despite the concession of weight all round. Irondale Express, Stepover and Hang Fire are given chances of sorts but all remain winless over timber and the main threat could come from the foot of the weights via Mrs Burbidge for the very much in-form Mulholland team. The mare has yet to prove herself over timber but has been in fair form on the Flat and connections are likely to be disappointed if she cannot prove competitive over hurdles off bottomweight in such a modest contest. She rates the main danger to the selection.
Handpicked 11-2 (10-7) Led until 3rd, tracked leaders, one pace and beaten from 3 out, no extra flat, 5th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Unison (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Pretty Rose (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 11, 31 1/4l behind Boherna Lady (11-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
Irondale Express 25-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Stepover 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and lost 2 place before last, weakened and lost 3rd place run-in, 4th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Vinegar Hill (11-8) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in May.
Maypole Lass 12-1 (11-1) Chased winner until after 3 out, chased leading pair, pushed along and outpaced before next, weakened into modest 4th betwen last two, 4th of 7, 32l behind Maid Of Milan (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in May.
Hang Fire (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, eased in closing stages, 2nd of 14, 15l behind Perfect Summer (10-10) at Stratford 2m (5) gf in May.
Gray Wolf River 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place after 4th, well behind when pulled up before 5th, at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in May.
Rachael's Ruby 16-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 9, 32l behind Hope's Wishes (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Mrs Burbidge 5-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden to chase clear winner approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Lorelei (9-1) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
