tracked leader, ridden to chase winner before last, no extra and lost 2 places near finish
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on from last, went 3rd near finish
in rear, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, easily
tracked leader until jumped slow 1st, in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened from 3 out
led, headed before 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd before last, kept on and regained 2nd close home, no chance with winner
BELLA won a novices' hurdle at Plumpton in February in very heavy ground. She hasn't had those conditions subsequently and looks ready to regain the winning thread. Gordon Elliott and Richard Johnson look a formidable partnership and Whizzzey Rascal has to be a threat despite having only won on good going. She didn't appear to mind testing conditions when a close fourth at Limerick last time and the fact that she stays further is a bonus on this ground. Little Glenshee loves it around here and the going is ideal but she ran poorly when reverting to hurdles here last month and is much better known as a staying chaser while this is also a rare venture over timber for Grange Hall, though she's another mudlark. Beyondtemptation won an incredible six handicaps between February and April last year but has completely lost her form.
Bella (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, reached mid-division after 4th, pushed along on outside and some headway before 2 out, never reached leaders, went modest 5th last, 5th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Pure Vision (10-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Little Glenshee (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) With leader, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 6, 36 1/2l behind Big River (11-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Whizzzey Rascal (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Mid-division, good progress into 2nd before 2 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 8, 3l behind Head Turner (11-8) at Limerick 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Grange Hall (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, some slightly slow jumps, 9th from 5th, no impression from 10th, slight mistake 3 out, no extra, 5th of 11, dist behind Total Recall (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Beyondtemptation 25-1 (11-12) Led, pushed along before 6 out, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
