held up, soon prominent, led 3 out, ridden when headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace
held up and keen, headway to join leaders 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, quickened clear last
led and set steady pace, headed and weakened 4 out, blundered and lost touch next
in rear and not jump well, behind from 5th
tracked leader throughout, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
In the opener, the vote goes to Tignasse ahead of Nuit Sombre and It's Blue Chip. Tignasse stepped up on her debut run to win at Plumpton last time, appreciating the better going and sharp track that day. Similar conditions will apply today and she looks set to go well. Nuit Sombre has won his novice event but has looked a short runner in his latest starts, although today's better going will help in this respect and, in a modest affair, has to be considered. It's Blue Chip looked a lot better when he won at Plumpton than he has in his last two starts, while Paula Lane needs to improve on her two hurdling starts to date. Zaktoo and Nod's Star would be very hard to fancy on what they have so far achieved, although the latter did show promise at 14 furlongs on the Flat and might improve in time. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Tignasse.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 16-1 Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 11l behind Manorson at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
It's Blue Chip 25-1 Mid-division, behind from 5th, 8th of 15, well behind United at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (C) sft.
Paula Lane 50-1 Chased leader to after 4th, mistake under pressure and weakened after 6th, hit 2 out, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Valley Ride at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd.
Zaktoo (IRE) 100-1 Mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mr Dinglawi at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (E) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Nod's Star 10-1 Always behind, blundered 6th and soon tailed off, 5th of 8, 18l behind Son of Greek Myth at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov clm hdl (F) gd.
Tignasse (FR) 10-3 Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leader over 1 out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (E) gd beating Sweet Oona by a nk, 12 ran.
