towards rear and in touch, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, early reminders, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, ridden and one pace in 3rd before 2 out
led to 4 out, kept on and no chance with winner before last
close up early, towards rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, clear before and mistake last, kept on well
Northern Beau was moderate on the Flat but found her niche in points and was second on her hurdling debut at Musselburgh. However, she may not have the pace to cope with SHAMBRA, who won on contrasting ground on the level and made a successful switch to hurdling at Ludlow. Lucy Wadham puts up the talented 7lb claimer Maxime Tissier to negate her penalty and she looks the one to be on as Blue Valentine was weakening when falling at Doncaster, though probably needed that run. Trooblue makes her hurdles bow but was progressing in bumpers.
Blue Valentine (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, hung left before next, soon weakened, fell last, at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Fleur Du Pommier 100-1 (11-0) Never nearer than mid-division, mistake and lost place 5th, soon behind, 4th of 15, 29 1/2l behind Melangerie (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Hijran (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tended to jump right, led, joined and mistake 3 out, blundered next, 6th of 15, 32 1/4l behind Melangerie (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Northern Beau (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, ridden run-in, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Toboggan's Fire (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Trooblue 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 6 3/4l behind Eternally Yours (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Dec.
Shambra (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up on inside, closed before 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, led last, edged left flat, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m fll (4) sft in Jan beating Shee's Lucky (10-10) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
