tracked leaders on inside, led 9th, headed 11th, led 5 out, headed before pecked 3 out, weakened 2 out
led until 3rd, led 5th, headed 9th, weakened from 13th
prominent, led 3rd, headed 5th, pushed along 10th, outpaced before 5 out, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd before last, no impression
chased leaders, pecked 11th, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on
not always fluent, always behind,
prominent on outside, led 11th, headed 5 out, mistake 4 out, led before next, clear and jumped right 2 out and last, hung right flat, easily
Silent Steps won a mares’ handicap over course and distance just over 12 months ago and was successful twice at Southwell in the spring. She has only been raised a pound so should be thereabouts again. Kapga De Lily looked much improved at Bangor but the handicapper has put her up 9lb and she has never raced over a trip this far before. Trip and conditions will suit No No Juliet and she is interesting having a first run for the in-form Fergal O’Brien but we’ll take a chance on OVERAWED as John Groucott’s mare is generally best at this time of year and it was very encouraging to see her staying on into second at Bangor having got a second wind. Ballybough Nora is held on that form and Miss Zip will have to pay a price for last season’s exploits this term.
No No Juliet (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leaders on inside, not fluent 12th, switched left after 13th, led before last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Ivilnoble (11-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Silent Steps (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders early, soon behind and pushed along, soon detached, reminders halfway, headway before 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Inch Lala (11-3) by 6l, 7 ran.
Overawed 14-1 (11-11) Tracked leader then mid-division, hard-ridden and detached from leaders before 4 out, stayed on gamely for pressure home straight, significant headway to take 2nd before the last, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Black Tulip (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Ballybough Nora (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leader, pressed leader after 11th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened 2 out, all out and lost second before last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Black Tulip (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Miss Zip (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Midfield, ridden before 3 out where not fluent, blundered 2 out, no extra, last of 6, 25 1/4l behind Still Believing (11-5) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Kapga De Lily (FR) 10-3 (10-9) Held up in rear, smooth headway into midfield 8th, close up 11th, led 4 out, clear travelling strongly 2 out, pushed out flat, comfortably, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Volcano (11-8) by 8l, 10 ran.
