in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 6th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
with leader pushed along and weakened approaching 6th, pulled up before last
always towards rear
led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching last, weakened flat
always towards rear, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up mid-division,weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
chased leader, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, soon chasing leaders, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner
chased leaders until lost place quickly approaching 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
always prominent, led 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, ridden out
The mares-only selling hurdle can go to Rustic Charm ahead of Leap Year Lass and, possibly, Colne Valley Amy and Katies Dolphin. The Charlie Egerton-trained selection showed reasonable maiden form on the Flat before having her attention switched to jumping. Her debut in that sphere was hardly auspicious as she dropped out quickly when the race got serious. However, she must have been showing something ahead of that as she was sent off at 7/2 and Tony McCoy took the ride. In a weak race, she looks worth taking a chance on. Leap Year Lass was behind when being hampered and unseating rider at Carlisle last time, but prior to that her form - particularly when fourth to Moonlit Harbour at Carlisle in April - makes her a leading player here. Another possible contender is Ferdy Murphy's Ornella Speed. Even though her French form looks modest, the trainer is in better form now after a quiet spell and maybe the betting will provide clues as to this one's chances. The best of Katies Dolphin's form, including when fifth at Perth last time, gives her a chance although she remains winless in 33 races. That sentence gives you an idea of the paucity of talent in this race. It is very difficult to get excited about the form and chances of most of her opponents, although Windfola has bits of form which makes her a contender for a place. Allez Scotia showed improved form over hurdles last time but that was over a mile further than today, while Colne Valley Amy's Flat form brings her into the equation although two runs over hurdles have hardly kept us up at night with excitement. This brings us back, once again, to the selection, which is Rustic Charm.