tracked leader, lost 2nd and weakened 3 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
keen hold, held up behind leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led and mistake 2 out, driven and headed well before last, well beaten when mistake last
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, stayed on to take moderate 3rd last
not fluent in rer, mistake and struggling 8th, soon tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
soon lead, headed 2 out, weakened rapidly between last 2, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up tracking leaders, headway to chase leader 2 out, led well before last, soon clear, stayed on well
held up in rear, steady headway to track leading pair 2 out, driven and weakened between last 2, mistake and lost poor 3rd last
not fluent in rear, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up before next
Supreme Huntress should prove to be the answer, with Supreme Copper and Count Boris seen as potential threats. Supreme Huntress looks to be going the right way judged on his first success at Chepstow in December when he was helped by the departure of a main rival two out. Nevertheless, he appeared to be going well at the time, and should be up to defying a penalty here. Supreme Copper has plenty of experience but is still a maiden and looks every inch a future chaser in the making, and a bigger danger may be Count Boris who failed valiantly to give weight to subsequent winner Minella Tipperary at Exeter in November, proving that he stays this trip. The rest make little appeal on the evidence so far, and so we return to the progressive Supreme Huntress as the selection.
Gilo 25-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 28l behind Thirty Five Black (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Supreme Huntress (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) In touch, mistake 6th, joined leader and mistake 2 out, soon left clear, eased down towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Hills Of Aran (10-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Count Boris 16-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden after 8th, stayed on to regain 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Minella Tipperary (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Double Date (FR) 100-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden 7th, weakened next and pulled up 3 out in race won by Hero Again (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in May, 15 ran.
Edgar Wilde (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened soon after 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Zipalong Lad (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan '06, 10 ran.
Shardakhan (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) In touch, led briefly approaching 3 out, every chance when ran out 3 out in race won by Parkinson (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Supreme Copper (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up rear and not jump well, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, well behind Duncliffe (10-9) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Lay Down The Law Bob's Return mare out of winning chaser Storming Lady.
