behind, ridden 4 out, soon headway, weakened from last
chased leaders, fell 5th
chased leaders, lost weight cloth after 3rd, pulled up before 5th
mid-division, hampered 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, headway 8th, ridden next, kept on same pace from 2 out
behind, outpaced approaching 8th
prominent, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, hampered 5th, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, mistake and led 8th, headed 3 out, weakened next
always towards rear, fell last
behind, weakened after 6th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 2 out, soon clear
led to 1st, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace from 2 out
prominent, weakened after 6th
behind, outpaced 8th, stayed on from 3 out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
prominent until after 6th
behind when badly hampered 5th, pulled up after next
led 1st, headed 4th, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 4th, headed 8th, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway to chase leaders 6th, no impression from 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden to lead 3 out, headed next, no chance with winner
A very competitive contest to get proceedings underway and a case can be made for a large number of these including Doris's Gift, Scott's Mill, Harley, Shalati Princess and Medianoche. We will give the tentative vote to Shalati Princess. A recent recruit to the Alison Thorpe yard, she is a maiden after 30 starts but returned to action recently after twelve months off with an encouraging display having been subject to market support. This is a big venture into unknown territory with regard to the distance and she has only ever gone as far as 2m4f, that being almost two years ago. Support in the market should once again be noted as the Thorpe yard have established a real reputation for improving cast offs. Doris's Gift has been campaigned over hurdles and fences this season. Jumping has become an issue over fences and trip and ground are unlikely to pose problems, he often finds one too good. Scott's Mill has much the same profile as Doris's Gift. A shock winner of a Carlisle handicap hurdle in November, he was set a stiff task last time against Nosferatu and this is more realistic. Harley will relish the underfoot conditions and would be another for calculations as a line can be put through his most recent outing when his rider reported him to loose his action. Medianoche showed little on his return to action but would have a big chance if re-producing his second at Perth last summer. This is hugely competitive but we will give our vote to Shalati Princess.
Medianoche (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, lost place 6th, 9th of 10, well behind Pop (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
August Rose (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 4th of 12, 10l behind Wot Way Chief (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Uncommited (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, progress into 8th 5 out, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 20, 44l behind Naujella Girl (10-13) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 hvy in Mar.
Blue Rebel (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led to 1st, soon steadied, held up, not fluent 4th or 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 5, 24l behind Prince du Seuil (11-0) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Panthers Run 25-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 8th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 14, 41l behind Bonnie Rock (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Scott's Mill 9-2 (11-2) In touch, chased winner approaching 8th, ridden after 10th, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Nosferatu (11-3) at Wetherby 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Moon Melody (GER) 15-2 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 6th, no danger after, 7th of 12, 26l behind Charles Street (9-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Sylvan Shack (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) With leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 16, 19l behind So Now (11-6) at Newbury 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Shalati Princess 7-1 (10-11) In touch, headway after 5th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, faded, 4th of 11, 9l behind Red Perfection (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Little Lily Morgan 150-1 (10-2) Behind, headway before 2 out, kept on, no impression, 5th of 16, 20l behind Cool Operator (11-2) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Rudaki 33-1 (11-4) Always behind, 15th of 19, 40l behind Lordsbridge (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
Lily Tara 5-1 (11-8) Prominent early, settled in touch, led after 8th, well in command when hit 2 out and last, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Midnight Ocean (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Harley 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders until weakened quickly and pulled up 5 out in race won by Boing Boing (9-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 17 ran.
Doris's Gift 9-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 16, 9l behind Bonnie Rock (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Crackleando 22-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Quality Control (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
Queen of Diamonds (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, one pace, 6th of 12, 12l behind Anchors Away (10-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Dec.
Talesofriverbank 20-1 (10-10) Held up, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Boris The Blade (11-7) at Ayr 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Teenando (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, driven after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, 47l behind Pagan Sword (11-2) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Nifty Roy 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 9th, chased winner 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 11, 25l behind Topaz Lady (11-7) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Vicious Prince (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Topaz Lady (11-7) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
Oh Mister Pinceau (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Led until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, under pressure 10th, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Fondness (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-5) Led, headed 3 out, no extra when lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Springaway (10-0) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Kinfayre Boy 40-1 (11-1) Soon behind, lost touch 6th, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 44l behind Blackpool Billy (11-7) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Act Gold (GER) 8-1 (9-11) Raced wide, some progress 7th, behind from 10th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Geography (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Endless Night 28-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden after 6th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, well behind Katess (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
