GIVE IT TIME is the tentative suggestion in a compelling contest ahead of the exciting Alegralil and Argento Luna. The selection has a good strike rate over hurdles and has plenty of form to her name in similar contests in Ireland. She comes into this race on the back of a good second to Donnas Palm and may be good enough to go one better in this company. Pagan Starprincess was a surprise winner last year when lowering the colours of 2008 winner Chomba Womba and Chomba Womba's connections are represented here by My Petra who was a little disappointing in a void race here in December. Her best form puts her in the picture but the ground is likely to be softer than ideal. Amber Brook is a regular in these events but a more interesting contender is Donald McCain's exciting novice Alegralil. The connections think the world of their charge who has done everything asked of her thus far but this is a significant step up in class but she may be good enough if she lives up to expectations. Argento Luna is more exposed and also has something to find at the weights but she's a useful performer who could take a hand in the finish. She's likely to play her hand late in the day and could make the frame at an each-way price. The likes of Pepite De Soleil and Issaquah need to recapture their best form if they're going to figure in the finish and the solid option looks to be Give It Time.
Give It Time 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, close up and ridden 3 out, 2nd after last, kept on under pressure without threatening winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Donnas Palm (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 sft in Dec.
My Petra 16-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, hit 7th, blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Tranquil Sea (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Pagan Starprincess 8-1 (11-6) Held up, headway halfway, led 2 out, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec beating Terenzium (10-8) by nk, 10 ran.
Argento Luna 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, well behind when hit 3 out, 6th, keeping on one pace, looked held when brought down 2 out, in a race won by Strawberry (11-4) at Kempton 3m hdl (2) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Alasi 10-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened well before next, tailed off, 6th of 12, 49l behind The Minack (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Alegralil 2-5fav (11-3) Not always fluent, chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, readily, won at Catterick 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Shayaza (10-10) by 5l, 12 ran.
Amber Brook (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 7th, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 13l behind Sweetheart (11-0) at Ascot 3m hdl G2 (1) sft.
Issaquah (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and dropped rear after 5th, 13th of 15, 34l behind Khyber Kim (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Pepite De Soleil (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 25l behind Tasheba (11-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) hvy in Dec.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) With leaders, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 23l behind Santia (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Zarinava (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, 4th after 2 out, 3rd and challenged last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Voler La Vedette (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mrs hdl (listed) (4yo+) in Dec.
Diktalina 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leaders, always travelling well, led approaching last, soon in command, won at Folkestone 2m 1f Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) sft beating Open Day (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
