chased leader to 4th, led after 6th, drew clear last, eased flat
keen, in touch, headway after 5th, chased winner after next, stumbled 3 out, blundered 2 out and last, eased when beaten flat
held up, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold in rear, headway 3rd, led next, headed after 6th, weakened quickly
led to 4th, weakened after 6th, took poor 3rd last
Charmatic looks head and shoulders above her opponents and can easily defy a penalty, with Beauchamp Star, Pinkerton Mill and Zhivago's Princess her nearest rivals. Charmatic was successful four times on the Flat for Jeremy Glover, and indeed is a half-sister to the stable's one time decent horse Captain Scott, so should continue to pay to follow now that she has been sent hurdling. Her first few efforts for Andy Turnell were nothing special but apparently there was a bug in the yard, and on recent evidence she seems back on song. A good win at Towcester was followed by a creditable third behind Moon Over Miami here a fortnight ago, and with Tony McCoy to help, she should only have to jump round safely to score. Beauchamp Star looked to have her race sewn up at Fontwell in April but came down at the last and is on a retrieval mission. Her all-weather form on the level was nothing special, but she has to given the benefit of the doubt and is respected. Pinkerton Mill has a recent outing under her belt but is moderate to say the least, while Zhivago's Princess is best watched on her debut over hurdles. Charmatic can put her experience to good use to get back to winning ways.
Charmatic (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, took closer order after 5th, ridden, switched right over 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Moon Over Miami (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Beauchamp Star 16-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 6th, narrow lead 2 out, about 1 length ahead when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Screen Test (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr, 10 ran.
Pinkerton Mill 10-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, 4th and no chance when jumped right 2 out, 5th of 10, 46l behind The Rocking Dock (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Roeshan (IRE) Evensjt-fav (12-0) 3rd of 5, 48l behind Classi Maureen (11-7) at Bonvilston 3m ptp frm in May '05.
Zuleta 28-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, soon prominent, led approaching 3rd, headed when hit and bumped 3 out, weakened quickly, 11th of 14, 48l behind Lyon (11-0) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Zhivago's Princess (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Badly hampered start, headway over 3f out, out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 14l behind No Directions (10-7) at Towcester 2m mrs nhf (6) sft.
