held up keen tracking leader, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, hampered 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon weakened
led, headed 3rd, led again 4th, headed 5th, disputed lead 7th, led and hit 4 out, headed soon after and pulled up, dismounted
held up rear, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on
held up rear, headway 5th to track leaders, ridden when badly hampered 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed next, close up when fell 3rd
mid-division, headway to lead 5th, disputed lead 7th, headed and mistake next, led 3 out, left clear, kept on well, eased down near finish
close up when saddle slipped and pulled up after 1st
The ex-French Rosemauve showed enough on his first start in a handicap at Huntingdon last month to suggest that he could be the one to be on her and the four-year-old is preferred to L'Orage Lady and Bodfari Creek. The last mentioned has slipped to a fair mark now but has been off the track for the best part of a year and is probably best watched. Top weight Splash Out Again also has an absence to overcome and of more interest may be Nick Gifford's Outside Investor who comes here fit following a couple of recent spins on the flat but needs to improve to trouble the judge. Esterelle seems to be in the grip of the handicapper and a bigger threat may come from L'Orage Lady who has shown a consistent level of form in her two starts this term. The vote though goes to Rosemauve. Martin Pipe's gelding showed improved form for the step into handicap-company at Huntingdon last month and a reproduction of that effort may suffice.
