made all, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden and chased winner after 3 out, stayed on same pace
keen, in touch, chased winner after 3rd, ridden over 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 3rd, ridden over 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
keen, held up, headway 3rd to track winner, ridden 5th, weakened soon after 3 out
close up, ridden and weakened 5th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened over 2 out
Another race featuring quirky customers but Long Shot has run well when fresh and we will chance her against Ask Me What and Inchinnan. It is not unfair to suggest that the Henderson factor has seen Long Shot sent off at considerably shorter odds than she might have been on the book but a literal interpretation of her form with Toulon Rouge suggests that she should have the measure of Venetia Williams' Ask Me What. Inchinnan will be fitter for a pipe-opener on the level. The mare is still a maiden over hurdles and is difficult to assess her on the bare bones of that form. Risk and Reward was the subject of much post-race speculation after her recent run at Bangor and first time headgear is applied here. Clifton Mist is exposed at selling grade over further while Castanet has shown little since spells on the flat for Sir Michael Stoute and William Haggas. Just Serenade was a fortuitous winner on her only hurdles start for Mick Ryan and will need to have improved in order to land today's prize. Comete Du Lac came to Britain with a lofty reputation over chase fences but failed to live up to it when with Micky Hammond. Connections will no doubt be hoping that Norma Macauley has discovered the key to her. We prefer the claims of Long Shot in the nightcap.
