led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon driven and weakened
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, not quickened flat
tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, driven to lead 2 out, stayed on well
held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, headway 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, led 3 out, driven and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up, not fleunt, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
Several of these have chances, most notably My Petra and Theatre Belle but it is hard to get away from Emma Lavelle's BLAEBERRY, who gets a confident vote. The selection has had the benefit of a recent outing when a respectable fourth in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow and with improvement anticipated for that outing, he is hard to oppose. Howard Johnson's Artless has not had the best of fortune in his last two starts and has to be considered, while Tessanoora had every chance prior to falling two out when last seen in an Ascot handicap a year ago. Neither Winsley Hill nor Zahra's Place make any real appeal and of more interest may be Chris Grant's Theatre Belle, who looks to be going the right way. Nicky Henderson's My Petra who ran second in the Grand Annual last term, is equally effective over hurdles, and she has solid claims but it is hard to oppose Blaeberry, who gets the vote.
Artless (USA) 14-1 (10-7) brought down in race won by Orpen Wide (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Blaeberry 16-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden after 3 out, never pace to get on terms, 4th of 9, 11l behind Irish Legend (10-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
My Petra 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 8th approaching 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before next, 8th of 25, 12l behind Brave Right (10-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Prioryjo 12-1 (10-7) In touch, headway 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, well behind Laureldean Melody (11-3) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Tessanoora 16-1 (9-9) Keen early, tracked leaders, close 3rd and going well enough when stumbled and fell 2 out in race won by Kanad (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf, 16 ran.
Theatre Belle 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway and in touch halfway, driven 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 20l behind Ursis (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sept.
Winsley Hill 18-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd from 3 out until just after 2 out, beaten last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 20, 8l behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Zahra's Place 33-1 (11-2) Behind, smooth headway from 4 out, every chance from 2 out, stayed on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Whiteoak (11-8) at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
