chased leaders, ridden and beaten after 3 out
mistake 2nd, in touch, mistake and lost place quickly 4th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway on outside 6th, chased winner from 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, ran on
in touch, ran on same pace from 2 out
pressed leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied to lead last, held on well
prominent to 5th, tailed off from next
This does not look the strongest of contests to get proceedings under way at the Sussex track, with Mulhacen likely to prove too strong for the likes of Compton Chick, Shaadiva and Sweet Minuet. Hailing from the in-form stable of Ian Williams, Mulhacen showed signs of ability in an Aintree bumper in November 2000 but was off the track until returning with a promising display at Hereford at the start of the month. She was not beaten far by Mounsey Castle on what was her debut over timber, and on the strength of that was sent off favourite to go one better at Huntingdon on Monday. Unluckily brought down at the third, she will be expected to make amends here. Compton Chick has not been seen since being well beaten at Leicester in November and has reportedly had breathing problems. She did have bits and pieces of form prior to that and if fit enough may go well enough, but a more suitable place selection may be Shaadiva who tried to match strides with the useful French mannequin on her timber debut at Plumpton recently, eventually fading into fourth. A little more restraint will pay dividends in due course, but on this occasion Mulhacen should hold all the aces.
