in touch, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression, lost 2nd after last
mid-division, ridden and behind from 8th
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden and switched right before 3 out, one pace and jumped right final 2
mid-division, headway 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, lost place next, tailed off
held up, outpaced in rear 8th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, no impression
in rear, reminders after 5th, brief effort after 8th, never on terms
towards rear, effort approaching 3 out, never near leaders
mid-division on outer, headway approaching 8th, weakened before 2 out
jumped right, led 2nd, headed after 8th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner
led to 2nd, chased leader until 5th, weakened after 8th, tailed off
mid-division, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, blundered 2nd, pushed along after 5th, not fluent 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden before 6th, never dangerous
always prominent, went 2nd 5th, led after 8th, clear last, ridden flat, eased towards finish
La Grande Villez did not beat a great deal when resuming winning ways in a novice hurdle at Towcester last month but looks potentially well treated for her return to handicapping and gets the vote ahead of Sandymac and High Life. The last mentioned, a stablemate of the selection, is a consistent performer but tends to find at least one too good and may have to settle for a minor role again. Just Smokie is less exposed than some of these and could be of interest on her debut in this grade, while Saphire Night looks plenty high enough in the weights for what she has achieved. A market move for Dance The Mambo would be of interest although more solid claims are probably held by recent Fontwell winner Sandymac. La Grande Villez looks to be going the right way though and she is preferred.
La Grande Villez (FR) 2-11fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led approaching 3rd, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Lady Suffragette (10-4) by 20l, 11 ran.
Saphire Night 8-11fav (11-3) Held up in touch, led 3 out, joined and mistake 2 out, headed and held when jumped right and hit last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Heavenly Pleasure (10-7) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Sandymac (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, kept on, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Cyd Charisse (10-11) by 3l, 12 ran.
High Life 4-7fav (10-7) Led and keen, headed 3rd, ridden to lead 3 out, weakening when headed approaching last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Sabre Hongrois (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Dance The Mambo 9-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Cusp (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Hot Lips Page (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 13l behind Missis Potts (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Just Smokie 7-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leader 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Picacho (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gf.
Mrs Moneybags (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden 3 out, no impression, 7th of 9, 22l behind Missis Potts (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.