soon held up in touch, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, jumped right last, driven clear
tracked leader, under pressure when mistake 3 out, weakened next
always behind
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, tailed off from 3 out
behind, smooth headway from 4 out, every chance from 2 out, stayed on same pace under pressure
held up in touch, keen hold, effort 2 out, soon one pace
led, ridden, headed 2 out, stayed on strongly under pressure
mid-division, headway to challenge 3 out, weakened next
Doubly Guest is preferred to Whiteoak, Helens Vision and Soliya. Nicky Henderson has had fancied runners turned over in the last two renewals but Doubly Guest can make it third time lucky. She won the same novice hurdle at Ludlow as Punjabi and this year's renewal looked to be a strong race with several runners attracting support. The first two home pulled clear of the field, the second won his next start convincingly and the form looks rock solid. Helens Vision has a little to prove after two below par runs but would be dangerous if allowed an easy lead. Whiteoak has strong form claims having run the well regarded Tazbar to a short-head at Haydock but she will do well to concede 9lbs to the selection. Soliya is decent but has had her limitations exposed and it's hard to see anything else getting involved. Whiteoak is respected but Doubly Guest is selected.
Helens Vision 10-1 (11-5) Jumped right throughout, led until mistake 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Aigle D'or (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Whiteoak (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up, raced keenly, headway from 3 out, disputed 2nd and edged left from 2 out, every chance last, ridden flat, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 7, shd behind Tazbar (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Soliya (FR) 25-1 (10-3) Led until headed after 3 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Chomba Womba (11-5) at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Athaliah 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division until lost place over 5f out, 4th of 9, 36l behind Gold Award (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Kangrina 10-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, weakened 4 out, 14th of 16, well behind Cortesia (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
The Wicked Witch 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hampered 5th, soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Rate of Knots (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Zahra's Place 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, in touch from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened after last, 6th of 17, 9l behind The Polomoche (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Doubly Guest 11-2 (10-5) Always prominent, led 4 out, headed 3 out, led again flat, all out, won at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Pierrot Lunaire (10-12) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Arabellas Homer 50-1 (10-5) Led until unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Doubly Guest (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan, 15 ran.
Boogie Dancer 50-1 (10-0) Led until 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually faded, 11th of 19, well behind Pasco (11-9) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs.
