held up rear, hard ridden and jumped left 8th, headway under pressure after, led line, all out
keen tracking leader, hit 2nd, led after 6th, headed after 3 out, weakened quickly
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders when mistake 2 out, every chance close home, just held
in touch and keen, weakened 7th
in rear, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, mistake when one pace last
not jump well and always in rear
tracked leaders, mistake 5ths and 6th, ridden next, soon weakened, behind when blundered badly last
towards rear, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led and set steady pace, headed after 6th, ridden to regain lead after 3 out, all out when headed line
mid-division and keen, weakened after 3 out
Giovanna easily has a race like this within her and is selected ahead of Langdon Lane and Persian Carpet, while Mary Casey is still open to improvement and it will be interesting to note if she were backed to at least make the frame tonight. Mary Casey is now eligible for handicaps and would be an attractive proposition from her current mark. She can only benefit from this experience and is one to bear in mind for something like a mares only race after this. Persian Carpet was of ordinary ability on the Flat for Ian Woods but has taken to hurdling well for her new yard. She looks to be getting her act together and, although flattered to finish 10 lengths behind the Summer Hurdle runner up Wee Dins when she was last seen out, she can be considered a force to be reckoned with at this level. Langdon Lane will be appreciative of fast ground and, as a lightly raced filly, she has time on her side. However, she has been a touch disappointing since she made her debut in a Listed bumper at Aintree and, having been off the track for the best part of a year; she comes here with something to prove. Therefore, we go with the race-fit Giovanna, who holds the edge on the available form and is fancied to be more than capable of giving weight away in this company.
Giovanna 8-1 (11-1) Held up, mistake 2nd, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Rabbit (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf.
Langdon Lane 9-2 (10-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 24l behind Separated (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (E) gs in Aug.
Mary Casey 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, outpaced 7th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 23l behind Dunguaire Lady (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jun.
Rising Tempest 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders and keen, hit 3rd, led 6th, headed after next, weakened approaching omitted hurdle 2 out, 6th of 11, 29l behind Turnstile (11-13) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
The Sneakster (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, one pace, 5th of 8, 13l behind Able King (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Turbulent Flight 50-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, some headway 5th, ridden and no impression from next, 5th of 8, 32l behind Ballyhurry (11-2) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Blackcomb Mountain (USA) 28-1 (10-0) Prominent, led after 2nd to 4th, led again 5th, ridden and headed after 7th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Granite Man (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Persian Carpet 50-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 5th, chased leaders after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Wee Dinns (12-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
