in touch, mistake 2nd, blundered and dropped rear 3rd, soon no chance, tailed off from 3 out
close up, effort and with leader when blundered 3 out, renewed effort to lead soon after 2 out, not quicken run in, headed final 100 yards
led to 3rd, stayed tracking leaders, led 6th to soon after 2 out, weakened rapidly 5th and no chance when blundered badly last, virtually pulled up
mistakes, held up, well behind 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader until lost place 8th, well behind when blundered 2 out, staying on one pace and no impression leading pair when mistake last
in touch, mistake 2nd, chasing leading pair when mistake 3 out, no extra between last 2
tracked leaders, led 3rd to 6th, weakening when mistake 8th, tailed off
took keen hold and held up well in rear, headway from after 2 out, chased leader before last, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards
Calamintha is the one to beat here, with Material World, Rakassa and Wimbledonian best of the rest. Calamintha was bought for 13,200gns after hacking up in a Yarmouth seller in October and made an immediate impact when bolting up on her debut over hurdles at Bangor in November. A slipped saddle at Fontwell next time contributed to her failing in a follow-up bid, but she made no mistake at Leicester subsequently, making all in a first-time visor. Her jumping left a bit to be desired but there was no doubting her enthusiasm, and she will be hard to pass today. Material World, who lost an eye due to an infection last year, has performed with credit over hurdles and should go well judged on her third to Kiwi Babe at Wincanton where she was unlucky in running, and was not aided by the moderate pace. Rakassa opened her account at Kempton the time before last despite creeping up the weights but a further rise put paid to her chances at Fontwell and she will have to run right up to her best to figure in the finish. Wimbledonian was never sighted until making late headway, also at the Sussex track last time, but was thought good enough to be sent off as favourite on her racecourse debut in a Hereford bumper last year, so should not be totally ruled out of a place. Bonnie Parker is the only other with a bit of form but the stable has been out of sorts in the main, and like the rest here will struggle to contain Calamintha, who should gain her third victory over timber.
