in touch, went 2nd after 9th, led 3 out, clear last, driven out
prominent, raced keenly, hung right after 7th, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on well flat, not reached winner
in rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 6th, behind when not fluent 9th, no impression after
prominent, not always fluent, led 9th until 3 out, beaten after 2 out
held up, headway 9th, outpaced 3 out, no impression after
led until mistake 9th, weakening when jumped right 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, hit 1st, no chance after 8th, tailed off
mid-division, in touch 9th, outpaced when hampered 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
always in rear, tailed off
CAROLE'S LEGACY has been holding her form well and is selected here ahead of her recent Newbury conqueror Double Hit and the consistent Pokanoket. Nicky Henderson's behemoth lost little in defeat at Newbury last time as the eventual winner was given a very good ride from the front. Assuming this race doesn't come too soon, and she can keep closer tabs on Double Hit, then she should run a big race. The last-named deserves plenty of credit for that win but her hurdling form doesn't quite match up. Pokanoket won pleasingly at Market Rasen last time and has run well on quicker ground before so ground conditions won't be a problem. Her previous form in novice company behind Banjaxed Girl has been handsomely franked and it would be unwise to leave her out of calculations. Diklers Oscar lost little in defeat at Newbury last month and the form has been franked (by Banjaxed Girl amongst others), whilst Posh Bird is over from Ireland but a 15lb higher mark in the UK makes life tough. A visor is tried on Ambrose Princess, Kings Maiden will be fit from the flat but hasn't tried hurdling in a while, whereas Destiny Hill would be interesting were she not out of the weights by some distance. Carole's Legacy is selected in a competitive heat.
Carole's Legacy 9-4fav (11-10) Held up in touch, switched left approaching 4 out, driven to chase winner last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Double Hit (10-0) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) sft in Mar.
Pokanoket (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, made all, clear before 2nd, not fluent 4th, reduced advantage after 6th, ridden clear from last, stayed on well, eased close home, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Mar beating Another Storm (10-10) by 8l, 8 ran.
Diklers Oscar (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, jumped left and bumped 2 out, no impression on leaders when went left last, 6th of 18, 12l behind Ryde Back (10-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hcp hdl Listed (1) sft in Mar.
Double Hit 9-1 (10-0) Led until approaching 8th, led 10th until 13th, led 3 out, in command last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) sft in Mar beating Carole's Legacy (11-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Posh Bird (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd and challenged after 4 out, 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 8th of 25, 15l behind Florimund (11-0) at Navan 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle (80-116) (4yo+) hvy in Feb.
Ambrose Princess (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Led and disputed, mistake 4th, hit 7th and driven, headed 4 out, stayed well there under pressure until weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 27l behind Strawberry (11-4) at Kempton 3m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Kings Maiden (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Towards rear, headway after 4 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, blundered 2 out and one pace after, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan '09.
Ring Street Roller (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, headway in 7th 5 out, ridden in 6th 4 out, no impression in 9th 3 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 22l behind Mister Farmer (10-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Mar.
Destiny Hill 16-1 (10-8) Led to 1st, tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 14l behind Solway Bee (11-8) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.