led, headed approaching last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching and jumped left last, stayed on well
held up, kept on 3 out
held up, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before last
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakekened
prominent, went 2nd approaching 3 out, one pace
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, never dangerous
prominent, fell 6 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, took 2nd towards finish
held up mid-division, no impression 3 out
held up in touch, kept on from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
in touch, weakened after 3 out
Another maximum field for this mares' contest and it may be worth chancing newcomer LINE KENDIE to have the edge over Bathwick Quest. The latter is feared after a wide margin success in what was admittedly a very poor Towcester contest last month. Soft ground suits and she has already proved her stamina over this course and distance, so she could go very well, but a penalty will be difficult to defy. Tony McCoy has a good idea as to the merits of Lady Rhinestone, having partnered her to bumper success on fast ground in the summer. It seems that he prefers our selection here, which helps a little with confidence. Paul Nicholls' filly is a half-sister to several decent staying chase winners and this looks an ideal sort of trip over which to commence her hurdling career. Sure to be well schooled and fit enough, she doesn't have too much to beat here. Miss Nightshade was a Newton Abbot bumper winner on fast ground in the spring and has not been seen since. The market often tells us whether Stuart Kittow's runners are likely to go well, so we should take note. Far From Blonde didn't help her cause on debut by hanging at the business end, and while she may look the Nicholls second string in the race, she would have to be respected with racecourse experience under her belt, as both trip and ground will suit. Dolly Penrose is an interesting booking for man-of-the-moment Richard Johnson. She acts with cut and stays two miles on the flat, so this stiff track will be ideal, and as one rated in the 80s on the level she could go close. Flowerbud is not guaranteed to get home, while both Mayberry and Xtravaganza will need to improve a fair bit, and we'll chance Line Kendie.
Bathwick Quest (IRE) 13-8fav (11-1) Made all, unchallenged, clear when hit 2 out, won at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov beating Xtravaganza (11-1) by 23l, 10 ran.
Badanka (IRE) Snurge filly out of Bellerophon.
Dolly Penrose 20-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Teeky (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Oct (flat).
Far From Blonde (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up last, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Ellen Tilley (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Floraline (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Prominent jumped badly right 1st, in touch, ridden and weakened from 4th, 8th of 10, well behind Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Flowerbud 50-1 (10-4) Led to 4th, stayed prominent, pressed leader, led again before 6th, kept narrow advantage until headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Bureaucrat (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Galloise (IRE) 200-1 (9-12) Blundered 1st, always behind, 9th of 14, 31l behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Joking Aside (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Ryde Back (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares NH nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Line Kendie (FR) Bonnet Rouge filly out of Line Grey.
Little Moor 11-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden 4f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, well behind Malindi Bay (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f N H flat (6) sft in Nov.
Mayberry 4-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 18l behind Gan On (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Miss Nightshade 4-1 (10-4) Led, ridden and narrowly headed over 2f out, rallied to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Apr beating Sammy Two Shoes (10-6) by 2l, 8 ran.
Misstree Dancer 9-2 (10-6) Prominent winner after 2f, disputed from 6f out until over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Amroth Bay (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
Nobbys Girl 200-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, last approaching 3 out, 14th of 16, well behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy.
Prescelli (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, weakened over 4f out, soon tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Cresswell Bubbles (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m N H flat (6) gd in Aug.
Silver Emblem 200-1 (10-10) In rear, headway 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Gilwen Glory (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Xtravaganza (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Prominent, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 23l behind Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Lady Rhinestone (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, pressed and driven over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong and in command towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gf in Jun beating Himitas (10-5) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
