held up in 4th, no chance from 4 out, last when fell last
soon behind, tailed off from 8th
soon behind, reminder after 4th, tailed off 6th, went poor 3rd approaching last
led, clear 4 out until after 3 out, ridden and headed near finish
chased leaders, no chance from 4 out
chased leader, closed after 3 out, reminders after 2 out, stayed on to lead near finish
My Petra looks the one to be with in this beginners' chase; the list of dangers is headed by Strawberry and Heart Springs. Nicky Henderson's 5-year-old mare looked quite useful last season and although she was well beaten at Kempton last time, the form of the race has worked out well. She goes on this ground and it will be a surprise if she is not good enough to land this event. Strawberry was beaten a long way over hurdles at Newbury last time, but she had gone close in a novices' chase previously and now that she returns to this sphere she has to be afforded respect. Heart Springs has got some fair form over hurdles so she is worth considering, but the ground may be against her and for the winner we will stick with My Petra.
Cailin Gruaig Dubh (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Left in lead 1st, strongly pressed 3 out, headed and weakened before 2 out, 17th of 21, well behind Splurge (10-9) at Punchestown 2m cnd hcp hdl gs in Dec.
My Beautiful Loser (IRE) 200-1 (10-10) Led, headed approaching 5th, soon weakened, 13th of 14, well behind Katess (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Outclass 16-1 (10-12) Mistake and unseated rider in race won by Massini Sunset (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Strawberry (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Pyleigh Lady (11-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Jan.
The Sneakster (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Led, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened, 6th of 18, 8l behind Chinara (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
My Petra 5-2 (10-5) Took keen hold, led 3rd to after 5th, stayed prominent, dropped to 3rd and outpaced from after 8th, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Mahogany Blaze (11-9) at Kempton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Heart Springs 17-2 (10-10) Never travelling and always towards rear, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pyleigh Lady (11-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Jan, 11 ran.