held up, hit 1st, some headway after 8th, poor 3rd when mistake last, never on terms
chased winner, ridden and no impression from 4 out, never able to challenge
chased leaders until 4th, soon ridden, tailed off from 9th
in touch until 6th, tailed off from 9th
made all, soon clear, blundered badly 9th, unchallenged
Rose Tina deserves to win a race of this nature after a string of good efforts but Radcliffe, who finished just behind Brendan Powell's mare at Southwell last time is fancied to get the better of her today. Rose Tina was unlucky not to have won a handicap at Huntingdon in May (falling two out when 10 lengths clear) and lost no caste in defeat behind Phildari at Southwell, having made most until three out, before weakening. Although finishing a length and a quarter behind the mare in that contest, the Venetia Williams-trained Radcliffe was making his chasing debut that day and looked as though he would improve for the run. If he does, the six-year-old should be too good. According to official BHB ratings, Princesse Grec is the best of the remainder, although Ile Distinct has shown signs of ability. However, Radcliffe looked more than capable of taking a race of this nature at Southwell last time and gets the vote.
