towards rear, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace when mistake last
towards rear and keen, headway 6th, not fluent 9th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, behind from 5th
led, headed 5th, led again 8th, headed next, ridden and weakened 3 out
prominent, led 5th, headed 8th, led again 9th, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, ran on well
held up rear, stayed on from 4 out, one pace approaching last
tracked leaders and keen, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in rear and keen, some headway approaching 10th, weakened next
prominent and keen, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace 2 out
mid-division, mistake and lost place 5th, soon behind
held up mid-division, weakened 8th
in touch, ridden from 7th, weakened 10th
mid-division and pulled hard, headway 6th, joined leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
always in rear
never better than finishing position
in rear, some headway 5 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase leading trio 3 out, weakened 2 out
The David Wintle-trained Royal Niece heads a list of those with chances, which includes: Malmo Boy, Kayleigh and Espresso Forte. The last named is still unexposed over hurdles and starts off his handicap career on a fair mark. However, it is a worry that he is set to race without the tongue-tie this time around and, as he may not want the ground too soft, he could be a risky proposition today. Kayleigh is developing into a stayer and should be capable of going close in this company. She gets on well with today's rider and her task is made easier by his 10lb claim. Even so, her yard have been struggling for winners lately and, as there is a suspicion that she will need a little more time, others make slightly more appeal. Malmo Boy being one. Heather Dalton's charge was a surprise winner on his handicap debut at Plumpton last November and has given a good account in both outings since. However, he may be best when he is fresh and could again just set things up for a strong finisher. Which is where Royal Niece can be seen to her best effect. Out of three-mile-plus winner Sister Stephanie, the selection is expected to ideally suited to this longer trip if she has inherited any influence from the dam side of her pedigree. Wintle is as shrewd as they come in placing a horse of this type and an each-way move for Royal Niece will be very dangerous to ignore
Good Man Again (IRE) 12-1 Held up, headway 6th, ridden when stumbled 2 out, led last, headed and not quicken flat, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind DD's Glenalla at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy in Dec.
Le Joyeux (FR) 20-1 Jumped slowly, chased leaders, mistake 13th, weakened 4 out, beaten when refused 2 out in race won by Fireaway at Fakenham 3m beg chs (E) gd in Feb, 6 ran.
Kayleigh (IRE) 12-1 Prominent, ridden 7th, kept on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 9l behind Darjeeling at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Feb.
Maestro Please (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened rapidly, tailed off when mistake 3 out, 10th of 15, 48l behind Wave Back at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in Feb.
Espresso Forte (IRE) 20-1 Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 9th, 5th of 12, 37l behind Blue Business at Taunton 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Feb.
Royal Niece (IRE) 13-2 Held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 16l behind Up At Midnight at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Miss Jessica (IRE) 66-1 Raced keenly in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied under pressure between last two, stayed on well flat, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Deja Vu at Sedgefield 2m 5f hdl (F) gd in Dec.
Malmo Boy (IRE) 7-1 Prominent, ridden 3 out, hard ridden 2 out and left 2nd, kept on same pace, 2nd of 17, 4l behind Dusty Bandit at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Feb.
Gigondas (IRE) 100-1 Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 46l behind Cerium at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Starry Mary 18-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway 9th, stayed on one pace from last, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Sword Lady at Taunton 3m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Feb.
Captain Rawlings 100-1 Mid-division, reminders after 3rd, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Blue Business at Taunton 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Feb.
Hill Forts Henry 6-1 In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 15, 25l behind Red Ensign at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Nov.
Perhaps This Time (IRE) 100-1 Tracked leader, jumped right 2nd, lost 2nd and weakened 4 out, well beaten when mistake next, 7th of 8, well behind Reflected Glory at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hdl (D) sft in Jan.
Rosadare (IRE) 66-1 Always behind, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Mighty Man at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Steel Mill (IRE) 25-1 Held up, headway 8th, hit 11th and 14th, soon weakened, pecked badly 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Tanterari at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (F) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Triggerlino 66-1 Chased leaders, weakened when not much room bend after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lady of Scarvagh at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan, 18 ran.
