raced freely, led to 4th, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in touch, headway to lead 2 out, headed well before last, weakened and tired jump last
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led 4th, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased leaders until ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up, smooth headway from 4th, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead well before last, soon in command, eased near finish
raced wide in rear, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened quickly 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Bonchester Bridge lost no caste in defeat behind Tipperary All Star at Cheltenham on Saturday and, off the same mark, Nicky Henderson's mare gets the vote to go one better ahead of Magical Legend and Glory Be. The last mentioned is a capable performer, is less exposed than most of her rivals and is potentially well treated. Lack of a run for the best part of a year need not be of too much concern but the yard's horses have tended to need their first run this term so he may be best watched at present. German import Alina Rheinberg has taken pretty well to hurdles and has to be considered but may be a shade high in the weights, while Precious Mystery looks booked for a place at best, unless she has improved since last season. Magical Legend is race fit and has to be respected but Bonchester Bridge is hard to oppose if none the worse for Saturday's exertions and she gets the vote to go one better here.
Glory Be 15-8fav (11-3) Led, hit and headed 7th, soon weakened, 7th of 16, well behind Ben's Turn (10-10) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Magical Legend 9-2 (10-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 2 out, headed approaching last where mistake, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 8l behind O'Toole (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Precious Mystery (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Raced wide but in touch, headway 4th, every chance 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Bally Bolshoi (10-3) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Purple Patch 28-1 (10-11) In rear, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, kept on flat, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 18, 7l behind Harringay (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Alina Rheinberg (GER) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and pecked 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 17l behind Miss Mitch (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Bonchester Bridge 8-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, led well before last, ridden and headed last, no chance with easy winner run-in, 2nd of 20, 4l behind Tipperary All Star (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs.
Zaffre (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, 27l behind Dishdasha (10-12) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
A Double Ewe Bee 8-1 (10-10) Keen, close up, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Floreana (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Jan '05, 7 ran.