held up mid-division, outpaced 4f out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6f out
held up in rear, headway halfway, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, lost place 10f out, pulled up 6f out
held up, headway halfway, ridden and weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, ran on
soon behind, virtually pulled up from 4f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, led 6f out, headed over 4f out, weakened 2f out
close up, ridden and weakened 4f out
close up, ridden to chase leader 4f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace
led, ridden and headed 6f out, soon weakened
Midsummer Magic can cast a spell on the opposition and come home in front; Gold Reef and Ravello Bay are likely to be amongst her nearest challengers. Nicky Henderson has a formidable record with his visitors here and has won two of the last six renewals. He has a strong hand with Ravello Bay, a sister to four bumper winners including the smart Marello and Wyldello who won this race in 2006, and Midsummer Magic. The betting should help split them but we like the look of the latter who is out of a bumper winner by top class Flat sire Muhtarram. This looks stronger than the race Gold Reef won at Huntingdon and her penalty will make life tough but she's respected. Others to consider include Ashleys Rose, Petite Pistolet who was well backed on debut, Bijou Love who ran well at Newbury on debut and Dottie who may prove capable of better. We think this prize will be heading back to Seven Barrows though and Midsummer Magic is the pick.
Gold Reef 9-2 (10-3) Held up in rear, pushed along over 6f out, headway 5f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Dec beating Southern Exit (10-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dareyna 50-1 (10-2) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling before halfway, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 11, well behind The Old Pretender (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Flowing On Alflora mare, half-sister to several winning jumpers including high-class chaser Captain Khedive.
Notoverdear 150-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 9, well behind Gold Award (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Petite Pistolet (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Always in rear, 8th of 12, 23l behind Alderluck (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Ravello Bay Supreme Leader mare, sister to high-class hurdler Marello and several other winners.
Suppose I'm Stupid I'm Supposin mare, half-sister to winning chaser Flinders.
Bijou Love (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Chased leader, ridden 4f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 36l behind Isintshelovely (11-2) at Fontwell 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Coco L'Escargot 16-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Dee Ee Williams (10-11) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) sft.
Dottie 16-1 (10-0) In touch and keen, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 18l behind King Edmund (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Midsummer Magic Muhtarram filly out of winning bumper Romantic Dream.
Mollie Blackburn 66-1 (9-12) Always behind, 16th of 19, well behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs.
Wistow Sir Harry Lewis filly out of winning hurdler/chaser River Bay.
Ashleys Rose (IRE) Ashley Park filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
