reluctant to race, well in rear, stayed on inside final furlong
led early, tracked leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f
raced wide towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
chased leaders over 7f
soon led, narrowly headed over 6f out, regained lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, unable to quicken final furlong
behind, not clear run 2f out, switched right and stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led over 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened rapidly
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, never reach beyond mid-division
held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, hampered inside final 5f, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
behind most of way
prominent until weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
mid-division, headway on rails 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish
A very difficult start to the card and a narrow vote is given to Ellen's Girl, Mid Valley and Cape Of Storms could provide most danger. Brendan Powell's charge ran a much improved race last time when finishing a close up third behind the progressive Norwegian. She is very lightly raced and open to plenty of improvement, a big run is expected. Mid Valley has been running consistently well on the all-weather and he has to be a threat if he can transfer that form to the turf. Cape Of Storms is another all-weather specialist and he ran a great race last time behind Mon Petite Amour, a place beckons again this afternoon. Orphina and Chalice Welcome are two others worthy of a mention but we return to Ellen's Girl as our idea of the winner.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 33-1 (7-11) Slowly into stride, raced wide, always in rear, 13th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Siena Star (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Ellen's Girl (IRE) 28-1 (8-7) Set steady pace, hung left from over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Norwegian (8-8) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Ceol Eile (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened when hampered over 2f out, 10th of 12, 15l behind Desert Hawk (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Mid Valley 3-1fav (8-12) Slightly hampered and switched right after 2f, in rear, ridden and headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Feelin Irie (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Mar.
Elopement (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leader 4f, 11th of 16, 13l behind Krasivi's Boy (11-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Cape of Storms 9-1 (8-2) Tracked leader and keen, led over 6f out, all out when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Mon Petite Amour (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Chalice Welcome 9-2 (9-0) Reared start and lost 10 lengths, good headway on inside over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind War of The Roses (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Ronsard (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always in rear, last of 16, 37l behind Krasivi's Boy (11-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (6) pol in Feb.