tracked leaders, hard ridden to challenge after 2 out, soon under pressure, no extra flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last
disputed lead until 9th, weakened 4 out
disputed lead, hit 6th, headed 9th, mistake next, soon weakened
pulled hard in mid-division, lost place after 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd or 4th, mistake 7th, soon weakened
held up in rear, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 9th
keen hold in rear, headway approaching 6th, soon tracking leaders, led 9th, hard ridden 2 out, kept on well under pressure
In 15 starts under Rules, Carole's Legacy has only finished out of the first two twice. Equally at home over hurdles or fences, she's enjoyed plenty of success in similar races in the past and is sure to be in the firing-line again back over timber after an excellent run over the larger obstacles at Cheltenham. She may lack the scope, however, of L'ACCORDIONISTE who pounced late to extend her unbeaten record over 2m1f at Cheltenham last month. Indications are she'll stay this longer trip and her turn of foot could be decisive in the closing stages. Giving weight away, Sparky May trounced Alverstone by 27 lengths over 2m5f at Newbury and will be a danger if reproducing that form. Gold Reef has been in good form but, along with chaser Fit To Drive and novice Seren Cwmtudu, may struggle on these terms and more interesting is Alasi, though it's a while since she won.
Carole's Legacy 7-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 12th, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again after last, headed last 50 yards, kept on, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Tartak (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Alasi 20-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 1st, headway 3 out, went right and chased winner 2 out, closed when went right and not fluent last, no impression flat, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Banjaxed Girl (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f mrs hdl (listed) (4yo+) (1) hvy.
Alverstone 11-8fav (11-5) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again after 5th, made rest, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, won at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Way Back When (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Fit To Drive 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden to lead approaching last, soon clear, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Sarahs Gift (10-12) by 10l, 10 ran.
Gold Reef 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, outpaced next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, not reached winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Sparrow Hills (9-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
L'accordioniste (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 4th, driven and outpaced 3 out, 12th next, headway under pressure between last 2, 5th last, switched left and ridden flat, stayed on to lead towards finish, edged right, kept on, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec beating Praxiteles (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
Seren Cwmtudu (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led 4 out, hung badly left flat, driven and stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs beating Violin Davis (11-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Sparky May 9-2 (11-3) Raced keenly, held up behind in touch, headway to track leaders 4th, challenged 3 out, led narrowly next, 1 length clear when left 10 lengths clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Alverstone (11-2) by 27l, 7 ran.
