chased leaders, went 3rd before 2 out, driven soon after, kept on under pressure to take 2nd flat, not reached winner
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened and hit next
held up towards rear, ridden and no response 3 out
held up towards rear, some headway before 2 out, weakened soon after
in touch, hit 6th, stayed on from 2 out, never going pace to trouble leaders
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, led soon after 2 out, driven out and kept on well flat
held up, always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd soon after last
held up in last pair, ridden and mistake 6th, no chance after
raced wide, chased leader, hit 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, weakened before last
CAOBA was an impressive winner a week ago and is taken to see off prolific winners Argento Luna and Santia. Vic Dartnall's mare is stepped up in grade today following a comprehensive beating of Rith Bob at Wincanton. She has some form from last spring behind Amigayle and Ping Pong Sivola to suggest that she can hold her own at this sort of level and is nominated accordingly. Argento Luna continues to edge up the handicap after showing some resolution of late to win narrowly at Doncaster and then in the Mares' Final at Newbury. She is not always straightforward (has to be led in) but she has plenty of ability. As does Santia who also comes here chasing a hat-trick. Alan King's progressive mare is another tackling tougher company. Stablemate Over Sixty was not disgraced in the David Nicholson Mares race and she is one who always gives her running; Robert Thornton keeps the ride there and she looks an obvious contender. Gaspara has become slightly frustrating, Hora has the blinkers applied following a second to Amigayle at Kempton in December, whilst the last-named is as game and consistent as they come and has been a credit to connections and not one to rule out here. A tough race to solve but some classy mares on show and Caoba is narrowly preferred.
Hora 4-1 (11-9) Chased winner until after 3 out, stayed in 3rd place, hard ridden before 2 out, driven to challenge and half a length down when blundered last, kept on under pressure towards finish, always just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Aimigayle (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Over Sixty 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, 4th of 21, 15l behind Quevega (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
Gaspara (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Led, ridden approaching 8th, headed next, soon weakened, 11th of 21, well behind Time For Rupert (10-10) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Argento Luna 10-3fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on inside travelling well, tracked leaders 3 out, close up last, driven and stayed on well flat to lead final stride, won at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hcp hdl (4yo+) (1) gd in Mar beating Ravello Bay (10-9) by shd, 13 ran.
Santia 10-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 5th, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Balnahinch (11-2) by 9l, 11 ran.
Aimigayle 20-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs, 15 ran.
How's Business 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, progress from 2 out, never in contention, 6th of 21, 21l behind Quevega (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
Lady Pilot 14-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, steady headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace and no impression from next, 5th of 14, 9l behind Eleazar (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Caoba 2-1fav (11-5) Prominent, ridden and headway after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear when hit last, pushed out flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd beating Rith Bob (10-12) by 16l, 13 ran.
Markila (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, led 2 out, soon in command, came clear from last, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Golden Square (10-0) by 13l, 14 ran.
Mossville (FR) 50-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened and hit next, tailed off, 14th of 17, well behind Ballydub (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Present Gesture (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden into narrow advantage approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, kept on, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Mar beating Caoba (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
