The unbeaten Miss Sassypants encounters soft ground for the first time here and has leading claims if handling the surface. But the ground shouldn't prove a problem for BITOFAPUZZLE as it was testing going when she made a winning start at Bangor - Harry Fry's mare get the vote with plenty more to come. Tara Mist scored less impressively at Ludlow but should also improve, along with Balmusette, third on her reappearance at Warwick last month. Abigail Lynch won an all-weather bumper before a poor effort in Listed company at Aintree in April while the likes of Delta Forty, Notnowivorheadache and Rose Of The World are others with the potential to figure.
Abigail Lynch (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders to over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off 3f out, last of 19, well behind Legacy Gold (11-1) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gs in Apr.
Balmusette 6-1 (11-5) Prominent, led over 14f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 4l behind Kayfleur (10-9) at Warwick 2m mares n h flat (6) gs in Nov.
Bitofapuzzle 5-2 (10-12) Made all, driven clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Bangor 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) sft in Nov beating Mighty Minnie (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Delta Forty 5-4fav (11-0) Prominent, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced by front pair, no impression and stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Ballybolley (11-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd.
Lady Of Provence 7-2 (10-9) In touch in mid-division, closed 7f out, ridden over 3f out, edged right and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 15, 20l behind The Road Ahead (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) gd in May.
Miss Sassypants 2-1fav (10-11) Held up, headway 4f out, went 2nd and edged left over 1f out, challenging when not much room against stands side rail inside final furlong, squeezed through to lead, stayed on gamely, won at Worcester 2m mares n h flat (6) gd in Aug beating Dorkas (10-11) by nk, 10 ran.
Notnowivorheadache 25-1 (10-7) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Indian Stream (10-4) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Rose Of The World (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sidbury Hill (11-3) at Worcester 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) sft in Oct.
Tara Mist 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch over 5f out, effort on outside 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Ludlow 2m mares n h flat (5) gd beating Ballyhollow (10-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
