held up in touch, no impression after 2 out, 5th and well beaten when pulled up before last
led to 3rd, settled tracking leaders, not fluent and reminder 6th, driven neck, ridden and looked beaten before 2 out, stayed on between last 2, led narrowly last, kept on under
chased leader to 3rd, behind after 7th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leader 3rd, ridden after 2 out, outpaced before last
in touch, led 3rd, clear 2 out, came back to field between last 2, narrowly headed last, kept on but held flat
raced in 4th, effort and hit 2 out, outpaced between last 2
always rear, outpaced and struggling 3 out, tailed off
It's difficult to be dogmatic about naming the winner here but from a shortlist of Hopbine, Kiwi Babe and Cybele Eria, we will side with Hopbine. Working through the field and Hopbine is two pounds higher in the ratings than when scoring at Wincanton in January and her rider claims three. She has to be considered here although Tony McCoy, who has won on her, rides Eau Pure. That mare has been held from her current mark since scoring in March. Kiwi Babe was disappointing over three miles last time at Towcester but, back at this shorter trip after showing promise in a light career prior to that, she too must be on the shortlist. Eau Pure and Rakassa were also rans behind Makulu at Fontwell last time but the latter, if factoring in her rider's seven-pound claim, is now three pounds below a winning mark. Cybele Eria put in a fair run last time at Huntingdon and will appreciate the step up to today's trip, so do not dismiss her chance, while much as Mrs Pickles has won from a three-pound lower mark than today, she has been very lightly campaigned of late. I guess you could say that Magaline's connections would not dismiss the chance of her bagging some money but, overall, we will side with Hopbine.
