This could be an above average race for the track with Asturienne and Kentucky Sky in the line-up but we'll opt for HOPEAND. Punters can almost back Nicky Henderson's bumper runners blind at this track as the Lambourn handler has hit the mark with four of his nine runners. He was responsible for the first and third last year and has won the last two runnings with smart performers Ravello Bay and Fiddling Again. Whether Hopeand, who is out of an unraced half-sister to See More Business, is up to that class only time will tell. Asturienne and Kentucky Sky have proven ability with the former winning a Huntingdon race that Alan King has targeted with some nice horses in the past and she could be another one being a half-sister to Lough Derg. The Wadham's runner found Issaquah too strong on debut but made no mistake at Huntingdon last time when winning with plenty in hand. Here's The Sky is related to Exit To Wave, Penny's Sky went well on debut and Springtree showed promise in a race that has worked out well so they are three more to bear in mind but we'll be pinning our hopes on Hopeand.
Asturienne 11-4 (10-10) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway 6f out, led over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, won at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec beating Manele Bay (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kentucky Sky 5-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, drew clear from over 1f out, won at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec beating Miss Keck (10-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
Aryshvic Baryshnikov filly out of winning hurdler Cadal Queen.
Double Busted Terimon mare out of Hand In Pocket.
Gaye Starlet (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-9) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 36l behind Moorlands Teri (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Gild The Lillie Gildoran mare, half-sister to winning bumper Rising Tempest.
Here's The Key (FR) Dark Moondancer mare out of Hereke.
Springtree (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, pushed along from over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Carole's Legacy (10-7) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (6) gf in Mar.
Action Girl 8-1 (10-5) In touch on outside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 13l behind Scandal (10-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Bahreyna 100-1 (10-5) In touch until ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 18, 49l behind Zazamix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Bobbisox (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, struggling 3f out, 13th of 18, 27l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f jnr opn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Good Faloue (FR) 6-1 (9-13) Led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 20, 15l behind Par Avion (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Hopeand King's Theatre filly out of Land of Glory.
Penny Queen 5-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Brukirk Lass (10-11) at Towcester 1m 5f jnr opn nhf (5) gs in Nov.
