mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and approached winner approaching 2 out, kept on
prominent, led after 3 out, driven clear from 2 out, readily
in touch, ridden and weakened after 5th
jumped left and unseated rider 1st
mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th, pulled up before 2out
mid-division, headway 3out, ridden approaching 2out, kept on
prominent, ridden approaching 3out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway after 3out, ridden 2out, weakened last
led, ridden and headed after 3out, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway approachintg 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up last, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened
always towards rear, ridden and weakened 5th
pulled hard in mid-division early, headway 5th, ridden and chased winner after 2out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, jumped slowly 4th, unseated rider 3 out
chased leader, ridden approaching 2out, weakened after
This isn't as competitive as numbers suggest and the short-list can quickly be whittled down to half a dozen which, upon further reflection, is reduced to Theft, SANTIA and Bathwick Quest. Alan King's record at Wincanton in recent seasons has been pretty good and Santia has performed well during her four runs in bumpers. The forecast softer ground is an unknown as her reappearance at Warwick was the only time that she's run with soft in the going description but she should handle it and make her presence felt. Nicky Henderson saddled the horse that beat her at Warwick so confidence behind Theft would look significant. She did well to finish in midfield in a valuable Newbury bumper on debut and was well backed to make a winning start to her hurdling career in February. She's presumably had her problems but has to be feared with the yard going so well. Star Lady and Worbarrow Bay need market checks, Bathwick Quest should be involved and Je Ne Sais Plus is heading in the right direction whilst Calusa Crystal shouldn't be dismissed despite having something to find with one or two of these but we fancy Santia to deliver.
Bathwick Quest (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 5th, switched left after 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Cornelia (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Calusa Crystal (FR) 11-1 (10-5) Chased winner until approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 29l behind The Nightingale (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Chilla Cilla 16-1 (10-12) In touch for 8f, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Divali Princess (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Classical Act 100-1 (10-10) Towards rear, ridden and weakened 7th, 9th of 16, well behind Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Delaydee Vic (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Easter Legend (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
Finnish Melody Karinga Bay filly out of winning hurdler Myrtilla.
Indiana Fox 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, no chance when mistake 3 out, 16th of 18, 49l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Je Ne Sais Plus (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Behind, headway from 2 out, ran on after last, not reached winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Divali Princess (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Kentford Serotina 100-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, mistake 1st, behind, hit 3 out, tailed off when blundered last, 8th of 11, well behind Carole's Legacy (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Line Artic (FR) 18-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Wessex King (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Meohmy 100-1 (10-7) Always in rear, blundered 3 out, 15th of 21, well behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Missie Geore (IRE) 150-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, weakened 6th, 11th of 16, well behind Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Plain Champagne (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden and weakened after 8th, 8th of 15, 35l behind Finney (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Sally Army 100-1 (10-10) Prominent, ridden and weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Santia 5-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, led 4f out, headed over 1f out, outpaced by winner final furlong, 2nd of 20, 5l behind Madame Mado (10-12) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Star Lady (GER) (8-11) Prominent, effort 2f out, led final furlong, won at Cologne 1m 1f stk gd in Jun beating Nataka Arrogance (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran (Flat).
Theft 11-10fav (10-9) Always prominent, led 5th, headed and bumped after 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Quasar d'Oudairies (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Worbarrow Bay (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Mistake 1st, slow jump 3rd, rear, hampered 6th, some headway approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 23l behind Divali Princess (10-12) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
