chased leaders, led 3 out, edged right after 2 out, soon headed, one pace
mid-division, no headway from 5th
held up, headway approaching 4th, led approaching last, ran on well
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out but no danger
chased leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden 4th, soon weakened
behind, hampered 2nd, jumped slowly 3rd, soon pulled up
held up, headway approaching 4th, led before next, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
never near leaders
took keen hold, jumped right, led after 1st, headed 3rd, weakened quickly after next, pulled up before 5th
no fluent 1st, jumped badly left and unseated rider 2nd
held up, slightly hampered 2nd, headway approaching 5th, weakened before last
mid-division, behind from 4th
took keen hold, led until after 1st, chased leader, led and jumped right from 3rd, headed before 5th, soon struggling
Apollo Lady can come out on top over Theatre Diva and Andrea Gale, with Curved Air and Im Busy best of the remainder. Alan King already has his jumps team in good order, and hopefully Apollo Lady will be fit enough to do herself justice. Successful twice at Huntingdon in bumper company, she then finished third at Sandown before finishing 11th in the Aintree Bumper, in which more fancied stablemate Wyldello was runner-up. Sure to have been well schooled, the mare should make her mark in better company over timber in time, and can outgun Theatre Diva in receipt of 6lb. The latter had plenty of experience both on the level and over timber in Ireland before making a winning start for Kevin Ryan on her British debut at Market Rasen in May, after which she left to join Henry Daly. She could turn out to be useful, but we are prepared to take her on today. Andrea Gale has a fitness edge over the aforementioned pair but not the same scope, while Curved Air is more exposed and Im Busy needs to step up on what she has shown. All in all, Apollo Lady has the class to make her mark in this company at the very least.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 11-4 (10-2) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led approaching next, clear approaching last, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in May beating Akash (10-9) by 9l, 15 ran.
Andrea Gale (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) In touch, reminders 4th, ridden 7th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 5th of 12, well behind Waynesworld (10-12) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Apollo Lady 12-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 22, 23l behind Rhacophorus (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f mrs lst nhf (1) gd in Apr.
Aristi (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, tracked leader, led after 7f, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f, 6th of 13, 8l behind Jadeeron (9-4) at Lingfield 2m hcap (6) pol in Aug (Flat).
Curved Air (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Mid-division, lost place and behind from 3rd, 14th of 15, well behind Accumulus (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Hazelbury Overbury mare, half-sister to winners up to 1m and over hurdles.
Im Busy 7-2 (10-2) Took keen hold in touch, not clear run on inside over 3f out, hung right on bend over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Shiwawa (11-7) at Stratford 2m nhf (5) gf in Sept.
River Tigris (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, 16l behind Warpath (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
