held up, headway approaching 8th, challenged 2 out, led on bit and not fluent last, pushed clear, comfortably
held up, in touch mistake 1st, lost place approaching 6th in touch again approaching 4 out, no impression from 3 out, hung left from 2 out
mid-division, raced keenly, headway 7th, pushed along from 3 out, weakened approaching last
raced keenly, trap leader until approaching 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
in rear, jumped left 3rd, not fluent 5th or 6th, ridden and hung right after 7th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off
held up, not fluent 2nd, slightly hampered 3rd, headway on outside after 7th, weakened approaching 8th
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened last
always prominent, jumped slowly 5th, went 2nd 8th, led after 2 out, headed just before last, onepace flat
held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off
in touch, pulled hard, jumped right 8th, weakened next, mistake 2 out
Castlecrossings is the clear pick on the book but is likely to be sent off at cramped odds, Romping Home may well be able to improve on the form of her hurdling debut but the one to side with is Arctic Magic. The Saddler's Hall mare landed a gamble in facile fashion in a soft ground bumper here last February before running a highly creditable third in the Mares' Listed bumper at Sandown the following month. This trip should suit for her hurdling bow and underfoot conditions will hold no fears. Her likely market rival, Castlecrossings, didn't appear to stay 2 miles five on her penultimate start at Towcester but looked well worth another try at this sort of trip when staying on resolutely for second over the minimum at Leicester last time. However, she finished a long way behind Arctic Magic in the Sandown bumper last season and has to carry a penalty this afternoon so Stuart Kittow's mare has obvious claims if she takes to hurdling.
Castlecrossings (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-11) In touch, ridden and every chance from 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Overbranch (10-7) at Leicester 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Another Present (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 28l behind Thebelloftheball (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Arctic Magic (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed just inside final 2f, stayed on at same pace after, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Swaythe (11-1) at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (1) sft in Mar.
Double's Daughter 100-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 18, 35l behind Thebelloftheball (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Forest Lass (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place 6f out, no danger after, 8th of 12, 18l behind Mic Aubin (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Sept.
Lucys Pet 100-1 (10-0) Behind from 3rd, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Monsignorita (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 7th, behind from next, 9th of 15, 21l behind Master Medic (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Romping Home (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Prominent, blundered badly 5th and lost place, not a danger after, 6th of 10, 16l behind Overbranch (10-7) at Leicester 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Showtime Lucy 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway after 3f, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Mic Aubin (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Sept.
True Dove 33-1 (10-5) Stumbled 1st, always towards rear, no impression, 8th of 9, well behind Pepporoni Pete (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct '06.
