held up, in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
with leaders, led after 4th, challenged when hit 2 out, clear last, ran on well
always prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, beaten when hit last
prominent, raced wide to lead briefly approaching 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out
behind, some headway after 4 out, soon lost place, never dangerous
keen in rear, tailed off from 4th
prominent until weakened 3 out
mid-division to halfway, behind from 4th, pulled up before last
in touch, dropped behind from 4th, tailed off when refused, unseated rider 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, every chance when challenged 2 out, ridden, soon one pace
held up, headway after 4th, soon ridden, weakened, pulled up before last
with leader to 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last
held up, headway 4th, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened quickly 2 out
Methodical goes without a penalty for her win in a conditional jockey's selling handicap hurdle at Taunton last time and is hard to oppose in a race where the main dangers look to be Bally Bolshoi and Kildee Lass. The last mentioned lost no caste in defeat behind the well handicapped She's Our Native at Hereford last time and has to be respected racing off the same mark today. Royal Niece is entitled to improve for her recent reappearance and a market move for David Wintle's mare would be of interest. Joli Classical is open to improvement but needs to if she is to get involved in the finish, and a bigger threat is likely to come from Bally Bolshoi. The six-year-old was unfortunate to come up against the well-treated Caesarean Hunter at Exeter but she may again have to settle for a minor role here as Methodical won with plenty in hand at Taunton. The handicapper was sufficiently impressed that Brendan Powell's filly is set to race off a 17lb higher mark from Saturday and she should be able to make the most of today's favourable terms.
Kildee Lass 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, close 3rd 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 12l behind She's Our Native (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft.
Bally Bolshoi (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Led until 2nd, prominent, led 5th until 3 out, beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Caesarean Hunter (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) sft in Dec.
Royal Niece (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Behind, kept on approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 16l behind Petwick (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Lady Maranzi 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, weakened 4 out, 10th of 14, 41l behind Return Home (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Soleil d'Hiver 66-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, every chance when fell 3 out in race won by Ask The Umpire (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft, 16 ran.
Court Empress 40-1 (10-5) With leaders to 2nd, soon behind, kept on approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Cantgeton (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Sept.
Joli Classical (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Towards rear, weakened under pressure after 5th, 6th of 14, 24l behind Heathcote (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Methodical 7-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, led after 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd beating Gotontheluckyone (10-8) by 12l, 14 ran.
