held up, hit 3rd, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, led after 3 out, hit 2 out, soon headed, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led soon after, kept on well
chased leader early, in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
in touch, weakened 3 out, fell next
None really stand out but Nicky Richards and Venetia Williams have both provided winners of this race in recent years so their runners make the short-list with Romping Home and Tara Queen also added. I'm Delilah is selected as she looked useful when winning her bumper. She was in the process of running a big race when falling on her hurdling bow and may just have remembered that or may not have been suited by the longer trip when a shade disappointing last time. She's worth another chance. Tara Queen would have leading claims if she hadn't pulled up at Towcester and it may be best to forgive her that run at the testing Northamptonshire track. Simple Gifts showed some promise in a bumper here but lacks experience and may be ideally suited by a stiffer test but her yard is in great form. Romping Home is proving consistent but is beginning to look exposed and I'm Delilah has more scope and is preferred.
Classic Quart (IRE) 2-1 (10-3) Led to 2nd, led next, ridden and in narrow lead when fell 2 out in race won by Papeete (10-10) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '06, 9 ran.
Easy Peasy 14-1 (10-7) Led, jumped right and headed 4th, soon weakened, 12th of 16, well behind Cortesia (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
I'm Delilah 7-1 (11-0) Towards rear, smooth headway to chase leaders 8th, ridden 3 out, went left and hit next, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 18l behind Princess Flame (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Oakapple Diamond (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, last of 9, well behind Sprinkler (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Nov.
Romping Home (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) In touch, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 18, 34l behind Mr Multifix (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Ruby Crown 100-1 (10-12) Held up, stayed on from 4f out, never nearer, 5th of 16, 16l behind Lavender Track (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Simple Gifts 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, driven along 5f out, lost place over 4f out, 8th of 13, 11l behind Aintnonancy (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gd in May.
Tara Queen 9-1 (11-2) In touch, jumped left 2nd, weakened under pressure after 3 out, 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.
Shady Olive 100-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden 6f out, weakened quickly, 14th of 15, well behind King Edmund (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
You Know Bridie (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Beshabar (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
