prominent, not fluent 3rd, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
led 1st, soon headed, led before next, mistake and bumped 2 out, headed last, one pace final 100 yards
held up towards rear, headway 3rd, not fluent 2 out or last, one pace flat
held up in last, behind from 3rd, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, every chance last, stayed on, held by winner towards finish
took keen hold, soon prominent, led after 1st, headed before next, not fluent 3rd, soon ridden and lost place, weakened 5th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders on inside, lost place before 2nd, ridden after 5th, weakened before 3 out
led until 1st, tracked leaders, every chance 3 out and when mistake and bumped 2 out, one pace flat
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, led last, ran on
These races are designed to give young riders valuable experience but most of these are already fairly accomplished in the saddle. Ed Cookson frequently rides for Kim Bailey and his Ruby Crown is very well treated on her old form, though is in the veteran stage now and hasn't won since 2010. ENCHANTING SMILE was out of her depth in a Listed race here last month but finished second in earlier starts over course and distance and at Ffos Las. She can go one better today and is preferred to Cut The Cards and Lauberhorn, who return from a lay-off. Chilbury Hill only won a seller at Towcester and has a penalty in this so may be vulnerable.
Enchanting Smile (FR) 100-1 (10-10) Chased leading pair until 3rd, mistake 4th, behind when mistake next, tailed off when blundered 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Melodic Rendezvous (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f Listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Feb.
Black Coffee 18-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place 6th, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Xaarcet (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Umberto D'olivate (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 12, 17l behind Cridda Boy (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Cut The Cards (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Held up in touch, closed 6th, challenged 3 out, ridden and switched left before last, one pace in 4th when fell at hurdle, in a race won by Geminus (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug, 11 ran.
Northern Lad (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Held up in last, took keen hold, closed 2 out, not run on, not fluent last, last of 7, 11l behind Speedy Directa (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun '11.
Lauberhorn 40-1 (11-6) Mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, behind when hampered 3 out, 12th of 16, 38l behind Murfreesboro (9-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Oct.
Tamira 33-1 (11-0) Held up, took keen hold, went 6th before 2 out, stayed on flat, never on terms with leaders, 5th of 11, 16l behind Weather Babe (11-0) at Towcester 2m Mares NH Novice Hurdle (3yo+) (4) sft in Dec.
Ruby Crown 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, 17l behind Thunderstorm (11-7) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Residence And Spa (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 6th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Master Of The Sea (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, led after next, soon pricking ears, clear last, ran on well, won at Towcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb beating Prince Pippin (11-12) by 11l, 11 ran.
