led to 7th, weakened before 9th, tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader to 10th, ridden and weakened before 4 out
in rear, headway before 10th, went 3rd before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, led 7th, clear from 9th, stayed on well from last
tracked leader and keen, soon dropeed to towards rear, headway before 4 out, soon went 3rd, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 10th, no impression on winner, not fluent last
This probably isn't a race in which to get too heavily involved. Spotthestripe, only beaten half-a-length over 2m4f at Leicester, is lightly-raced in comparison to ROSIE DU BERLAIS but Philip Kirby's mare stayed on stoutly to score over an even longer trip at Catterick and may be capable of defying her penalty. The remainder look decidedly moderate, though Rowan Road has been placed twice between the flags this year.
Melua Maid (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In tch til wknd 14, 8th of 10, 42l behind Management (12-0) at College Valley & North Northumbe 3m ptp gs.
Rosie Du Berlais (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch and keen, led before 12th, hit last, kept on strongly run-in, ridden out, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gs beating Scrum V (11-5) by 7l, 7 ran.
Gers Benefit (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Cl up til wknd app 2 out, 6th of 11, 31l behind Larkhall (12-0) at Blankney 3m ptp gf in Feb.
Gwyre (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) (bl) led til hdd aft 15; wknd 2 out, 4th of 7, 20l behind Our Sandy (12-0) at Derwent 3m ptp gd.
Radharc Na Mara (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Prom til wknd app 4 out; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Sea Scout (11-0) at Tynedale 3m 5f ptp gs, 9 ran.
Rowan Road 8-1 (10-7) Prom til outpcd aft 15, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Bitter Blue (11-0) at Duke of Buccleuch's 3m ptp gd.
Spotthestripe 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led 7th until 8th, led 9th until after next, every chance 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Shy John (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hunt chs (6yo+) (6) sft in Feb.
