disputed lead until led 5 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on strongly (2 fences omitted)
behind, headway 4 out, kept on into 4th approaching last, never on terms
held up in rear, headway 12th, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd next, kept on same pace approaching last
disputed lead until 5 out, weakened after next, tailed off
in touch, chased leaders halfway, slow 9th, joined leaders 13th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 8th, mistake 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up after next
close up, slow 6th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never a threat
in touch, under pressure 3 out, weakened next
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
A nice prize has brought out a competitive field. STILL BELIEVING is a great credit to the skills of Evan Williams having won nine races since joining the yard in 2013. She wouldn't want any more rain but has won off higher marks than this and her rider's claim will aid her cause. She had The Wicket Chicken 1l behind at Chepstow in October and is better off at the weights. Pulling Power beat three rivals off this mark at Uttoxeter but couldn't get close to the in-form Marienstar at Warwick. Miss Yeats was having only her second start over fences when making all for an easy victory at Lingfield, when Top And Drop was well beaten, but has been hit with an 11lb rise. Dawnieriver was put in her place at Southwell after beating just four rivals when completing a double while Silent Steps was carrying a penalty for her very easy victory on that same track when pulling up at Cheltenham yesterday, a race in which last month's Kelso winner Troubled Soul fell 4 out.
Still Believing (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Rear-division, some late minor headway, 8th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Midnight Glory (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
The Wicket Chicken (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after the 2nd, led after 4th, headed 12th, led 5 out, headed last, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Still Believing (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Sheneededtherun (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Led and soon clear, reduced lead when hit 14th, pushed along and headed 4 out, no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, last of 3, 26l behind Dawnieriver (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Miss Yeats (IRE) 15-8fav (10-13) Jumped well, made virtually all, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Hint Of Grey (11-11) by 14l, 6 ran.
Misty Mai (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off, modest 4th, 4th of 9, dist behind Jepeck (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Top And Drop 16-1 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, slightly hampered 4th, progress 5th, every chance 4 out, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent last, 3rd of 13, 11 1/4l behind Bennys King (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Bennys Girl (IRE) 9-4 (10-6) Led until 3rd, dropped to last after 10th, rallied 3 out, 3rd next, 4th and no extra from last, 4th of 5, 13l behind Tara Mac (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
Shanann Star (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 3 out, left in 3rd next, never a threat, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Lizzie Langton (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Dec.
Pulling Power 5-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, pushed along after 11th, no impression on winner before 2 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Marienstar (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Silent Steps (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Led, headed 9th, led 7 out, clear before 3 out, kept on well, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Megaboost (11-0) by 23l, 5 ran.
Troubled Soul (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, pushed along after 2 out, went 2nd before last, led flat, soon clear, readily, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Cool Valley (11-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Dawnieriver (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) In rear, soon in touch, chased winner before 5 out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 5, 23 1/4l behind Silent Steps (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
