led, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace from next
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, pressed winner approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance flat, no extra near finish
mid-division, headway after 6th, led after 3 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, not fluent last, driven out
mid-division, ridden after 7th, kept on same pace from 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 5th and next, soon behind
always towards rear
soon chasing leaders, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, 8th and beaten when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened after 7th
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
towards rear, some late progress, never a danger
badly hampered start, not recovered, took no part
with leader, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before last
Dance Hall Diva gets the nod over Nazimabad, with Mapilut du Moulin, and Mid Sussex Spirit others to note. Despite the size of the field in the finale, plenty can be ruled out, and on latest evidence it is Dance Hall Diva that might just be the one to be on despite the fast ground. She encountered vastly different conditions when chasing home Calomeria at Towcester recently, and although the latter was beaten on a return visit last Friday, that display shows that she has a race in her. With plenty of dead wood in this line up, tonight could be the night. Nazimabad picked up a couple of minor contests last term but has gone up in the weights, making his task that bit harder, while Mapilut du Moulin is still getting his act together. Mid Sussex Spirit has to be respected, with Gary Moore always a force to be reckoned with round here, but in a race that will take very little winning, Dance Hall Diva should be capable of landing a blow.
Mariday 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, disputing 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by Howle Hill (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in May, 6 ran.
Nazimabad (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) Led 2nd, headed next, weakened 5th, 11th of 15, 34l behind La Dolfina (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Mid Sussex Spirit 11-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 10, 25l behind Allaboveboard (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Northern Link (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Hit 2nd, behind from 5th, 9th of 15, 28l behind Granite Man (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (5) gf in May.
Trumpington 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 16, 27l behind Mickey Pearce (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f nov sll hdl (5) sft in May.
Dance Hall Diva 14-1 (10-3) With leader, led 2nd to 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Calomeria (11-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in May.
Great Compton 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division until weakened after 7th, 8th of 15, 27l behind Granite Man (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (5) gf in May.
Mapilut du Moulin (FR) 5-1 (10-0) In rear, some progress when mistake and weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 47l behind Coltscroft (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in May.