pulled hard early, held up in touch, headway 4f out, weakened well over 2f out
tracked leaders early, soon in touch, headway 6f out, pushed along and chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, headway 2f out, left in lead entering final furlong, ridden out
tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, left in 2nd entering final furlong, kept on under pressure
held up in touch, pulled hard early, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon led, ducked left and ran out entering final furlong
held up in rear, driven half-way, under pressure over 3f out, never on terms
A small field for the closing bumper and we'll take the experience of OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL to count for plenty ahead of Sleep Over and Little Moor. The selection hails from Tim Vaughan's stable and has shown decent enough form so far, taking third in a similar race when last seen in the spring. The mare was a little keen that day and if settling better under Richard Johnson here may be able to see out the trip with more effect, although she'll have to on this much slower ground. As with most contests of this nature the market can provide the best guide but without that benefit we narrowly side with the five-year-old to take this contest. Sleep Over arrives here fit and may prove next best with Rhys Flint taking the ride. This daughter of Alflora has run creditably on both starts to date and seemed to handle heavy ground reasonably when taking fourth last time. That effort suggested better was to come from the four-year-old and with no fitness doubts and limited ground concerns she rates a very serious danger to our selection. Of the others with experience Colin Tizzard's Little Moor might be the next best with the yards runners going pretty well of late. This one made her debut a fortnight ago under conditions similar to today's and whilst she'll need to have drawn improvement from that well-held sixth that is entirely possible and if so doing she will have a chance. Malindi Bay's fourth on debut back in October reads well in the context of today¿s affair and so she's another worthy of respect as are newcomers Battle Axe and Poppy Come Running. The latter in particular is worth watching in the market, making her debut for a yard that knows the time of day. In a race where stakes are best kept to a minimum we¿ll select Our Guardian Angel to guide them home.
Battle Axe (FR) Cadoudal filly out of Battle Quest.
Dolly Grey Karinga Bay mare out of Islandreagh.
Little Moor 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, soon struggling, 6th of 11, 27l behind Kaybeew (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (5) hvy.
Malindi Bay 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway halfway, no impression from over 2f out, 4th of 12, 23l behind Alverstone (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
Our Guardian Angel (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, driven along 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Forest Rhythm (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) gf in May.
Poppy Come Running (IRE) Definite Article mare out of Haakool.
Sleep Over 8-1 (10-9) Prominent, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 11, 14l behind Sure Josie Sure (10-12) at Haydock 2m N H flat (5) hvy.
Twin Bud Double Trigger filly out of Little Bud.
