In the finale, the vote goes to Ile Maurice ahead of Just Beth and, maybe, Hi Laurie. Ile Maurice looked an improved performer when scoring at Newcastle last time and, with further improvement likely at today's trip, she could yet be on a good mark. Sword Lady has failed to win from her revised mark for scoring twice in the spring, but Just Beth comes here running well and, despite having been raised four pounds for a good Newbury run, she can go well again, having won or been placed on 15 of her last 24 racecourse visits. Others to consider are Vicars Destiny, who is now a pound below the mark from which she won at Market Rasen in March 2004, Avitta, who has been mixing and matching over fences and hurdles but she is now on a hurdling winning mark, although the trip is an unknown, and Common Girl, who ran well her over a shorter trip last time. Kingsbay improved for a trip last time and goes even further today and, just a four-year-old, we have hardly seen the best of him yet. Honey's Gift is now edging back towards a winning mark and is trying a new trip, and Longstone Lass needs a career best to get her head in front again, but Rosie Redman is well-weighted on her best chase form. Finally, Hi Laurie has been caught close home in her last two runs but she could yet remain reasonably weighted and her canny yard have elected to run her from out of the weights. Overall, though, we will side with Ile Maurice.
Sword Lady 10-3 (11-0) Not going well in rear, driven along and struggling from 12th, 6th of 10, 28l behind Sunny South East (10-8) at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (E) gd in Nov.
Just Beth 9-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon hung left, not quicken flat, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Valley Ride (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy.
Vicars Destiny 8-1 (11-9) Held up, outpaced 6th, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 7l behind Smart Boy Prince (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
Avitta (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 10th, hampered 12th and 13th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 33l behind The Duckpond (11-0) at Warwick 3m nov chs (D) sft.
Ile Maurice (FR) 9-4fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (E) hvy beating Sportula (10-12) by 13l, 15 ran.
Common Girl (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Led, headed 4 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Kings Bay 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 6th, stayed on steadily, went 2nd soon after last, 2nd of 19, 3l behind Kings Rock (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs.
Honey's Gift 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and effort after 7th, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 16l behind Silkwood Top (10-9) at Windsor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs.
Baikaline (FR) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 13th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Channahrlie (9-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov, 9 ran.
Longstone Lass 4-1 (10-3) In touch, led 3rd, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Jethro Tull (9-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Nov.
Rosie Redman (IRE) 3-1fav (10-1) Towards rear, pushed along 15th, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, outpaced next, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Ossmoses (10-0) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs.
Hi Laurie (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Led, quickened approaching 6th, ridden and no extra when headed flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Novacella (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs hcp hdl (E) gd.
