led until 9th, remained prominent and led again 3 out, in command next, easily
held up in rear, reminders after 4th, headway 6th, chased leaders and not fluent 9th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, led 9th, headed 3 out, soon under pressure, kept on gamely
held up in rear, smooth headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, jumped right 2 out, soon weakened
held up, some headway 9th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, hung right next, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, weakened 4 out
raced keenly and tracked winner, lost place 4 out soon beaten
mid-division, headway after 4th, soon tracking winner, not fluent 6th, lost place next
Labelthou is preferred to Refinement and Material World. Heavy ground is tailor made for Labelthou who was one of the stars of the last season. The two major concerns are whether the ground will be testing enough and whether a very heavy fall over fences at Haydock will have left its mark; with so much in her favour, it looks worth taking a chance with the latter. Refinement is an obvious danger but there's a slight suspicion that this trip on testing ground could stretch her as they're likely to go a proper clip. However, she's not one to take on lightly as her record speaks for itself. The pick at the weights is Suzy Smith's tough as teak Material World. This likeable mare always gives her all and has been a model of consistency. She's run well fresh in the past, will handle the conditions and has acquired the services of Ruby Walsh; she has to be on the short-list. Best of the rest is Gaspara, there's a small question mark hanging over her form this season but it would be folly to rule her out as she couldn't be in better hands. For the winner though, we return to Labelthou.
Labelthou (FR) 6-5 (10-11) Led, mistake 3rd, headed 4th, stumbled 5th, disputed to 4 out when stumbled, half a length up when fell in race won by Turpin Green (11-7) at Haydock 2m 5f Grad Ch (2) hvy in Dec, 3 ran.
Refinement (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Held up, steady headway 6th, driven approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 5f lst hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Kruguyrova (11-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gaspara (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching last, faded, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Blazing Bailey (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
Chico Time (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, every chance when wandered flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Not Left Yet (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Hendre Hotshot 33-1 (10-8) Held up, hampered 6th, hit next, headway 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out and every chance, still chance when hit last and no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Sovietica (10-2) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Material World 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, every chance flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 24, 1/2l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Petite Margot 4-1fav (11-2) Held up, headway 12th, chased winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Ironside (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Sovietica (FR) 17-2 (10-2) Made all, strongly pressed from 2 out, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Hendre Hotshot (10-8) by 2l, 11 ran.
Supreme Cara 9-2 (10-3) Held up and not jumped well, lost touch approaching 12th, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Leading Authority (11-5) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
