held up on outside, took keen hold, pushed along over 6f out, weakened over 3f out
led until over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
held up, in rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 6f out, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, pulled hard, pushed along over 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, switched right and outpaced over 2f out
mid-division, headway 6f out, went 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, headed 100 yards out, not quicken
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead 100 yards out, won going away
took keen hold, pressed leader until 6f out, weakened over 3f out
The standard set by previous winner Another Kate isn't particularly exacting, so we'll side with SIR BERE ahead of her and Rahotep. Rebecca Curtis' inmate doesn't look anything special on paper but he's at least related to some decent soft ground performers, whilst the booking of Tom Scudamore inspires confidence. The yard sent out a well-backed winner in this sphere recently and the market will reveal more about this one's chance, but in a weak looking race he's viewed as the most likely winner at this stage. Another Kate improved upon her solid debut second when winning back in November, but she was well held under a penalty after that. To win this would require another step forward, so despite the fact she sets the standard we'd be disappointed if something can't pass that level. Henry Daly's yard wouldn't be particularly well known for sending out debut winners in this type of event but that didn't stop the yard having one earlier this week, so Rahotep merits respect as a half-brother to the smart Innox. He'll need further in time but he's been found a weak enough starting point and might go close. The form Pensnett Bay showed when second to subsequent hurdle winner Queen Poline is certainly worthy of respect, indeed it'd be no surprise were he to improve past Another Kate too. The gelding hasn't been seen since February, so once more the market will need sounding out before any confident predictions can be made. Benefits Bill is well related and represents a yard that often target races of this nature, but he'd perhaps want the ground a little livelier and is omitted for that reason, whilst Point West is a point-to-point winner and might be found wanting for a turn of foot. With the rest making little appeal we return to Sir Bere for our selection.
Be Ashored Beat All gelding out of Burning Shore.
Benefits Bill (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Rose Tanner.
Pensnett Bay 9-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along 10f out, headway 7f out, hung left and chased winner just inside 3f out, closed when not much room over 1f out and again entering final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Queen Poline (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb '09.
Point West (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Prog 10; chall 2 out; led flat; drvn out, won at Trebudannon 2m 4f ptp in Apr '08 deadheating with Hardknott (12-0), 10 ran.
Rahotep (FR) Ragmar gelding out of Savane Iii.
Saffron Lord Alflora gelding out of Jan's Dream.
Strongbows Legend 33-1 (11-1) Behind and very green, went violently left soon after start, refused to race, in a race won by Safran De Cotte (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft, 11 ran.
Cody Wyoming Passing Glance gelding out of Tenderfoot.
Sir Bere (FR) Della Francesca gelding out of Known Alibi.
Walcotman Systematic gelding out of Royal Recreation.
Another Kate (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Led until ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 15, 14l behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
