held up, headway 5th, blundered 6th, ridden and one pace from 3 out
held up, headway 7th, weakened 3 out
led 2nd to 6th, with leader, led 3 out, ran on gamely
keen early, held up in touch, ridden and weakened after 7th
held up, headway 4th, led 6th, mistake and headed 3 out, not fluent last, soon switched left, no extra
held up and keen, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened flat
held up, headway after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent until lost place 7th, stayed on well flat
behind until stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
led to 2nd, prominent until ridden approaching 5th, no danger from 7th
A 7lb penalty may be not be enough to stop Hernandita confirming her superiority with Blackchurst Mist and she is selected to land her three-timer today. Sardagna and Researcher are others to have a look at, as both can go close at this level if they are on song. The first mentioned of that duo does have plenty on at the weights here and, having been held off this sort of mark of late, she looks opposable for win only purposes on balance. Researcher also seems to have lost her way a little since she won at Exeter at the turn of the year. She too may be a little high in the weights outside of this type of contest but, conversely, may be good value for a place this afternoon. Blackchurch Mist deserved to get her head in front when she won at Wincanton, but this does look a tougher assignment and she will do well to repeat the effort today under a penalty. Especially when her form with Hernandita is taken into consideration. The selection takes her racing well and is on the crest of a wave at present. The handicapper is due to put her up 8lb on Saturday, so this looks the ideal time to catch Hernandita, whom the assessor looks to have just about right at the moment.
