held up last, jumped well and headway to lead 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, outpaced 3 out, rallied and chased leaders 2 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out ,ridden and led 2 out, driven out from last, idoled close home
disputed lead, headed 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied from last, stayed on but not reach winner
disputed lead, mistake 5th, ridden 8th, headed 4 out, weakening when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
Noisetine can make the most of the weight that she receives from Mark Equal to score, with Great Travel and Sossus Vlei also expected to figure prominently. Sam Thomas has been a revelation this season, and the fact that he can claim three pounds here adds to our confidence in Noisetine. The French-bred is out to make amends after failing to justify favouritism at Ludlow where a faller at the 12th fence did not help her cause. She had earlier looked impressive when scooting up at Catterick in February, and this drop back in trip will help. Mark Equal was also a beaten market leader last time at Fakenham, when coming to grief at the final fence when holding every chance. Twice successful over the bigger obstacles prior to that, the trip here may just be on the short side for him. Great Travel joined the list of bookies friends when he too was a costly disappointment on his latest engagement at Sandown, finding nothing when let down. He appears to be quirky sort who will need strong handling. Just to round off the list of recent failures, Sossus Vlei is also on a retrieval mission, having gone down by a short-head to The Extra Man at Huntingdon. He did not succumb without a fight though and appears to be a resolute enough sort. In what could be a closely-run affair, Noisetine gets the vote.
