mid-division, headway before 5 out to chase leaders, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd before last, never dangerous
led to 2nd, remained close up, led again 6th, headed 4 out, weakened 3 out
always behind, pulled up
close up, led 4 out, ridden and headed before and blundered last, no extra
mid-division, reminders before 5th, reminders after 7th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, headway before 3 out, soon weakened
soon dropped into mid-division, weakened after 2 out
in touch, led before last, kept on well
in rear, pushed along and weakened after 5 out, tailed off 4 out, pulled up
close up, led 2nd, headed 6th, remained close up, weakened 4 out
BERKSHIRE DOWNS has yet to score under NH Rules but she has gone close on more than one occasion, none more so than when just failing to reel in Bells On Sunday at Newcastle this month. She was partnered that day by today's amateur against professionals and the pair are taken to make amends here. The combination of first-time cheekpieces and a step-up in trip should prove advantageous as she came home strongly over 2m4f last time. Bescot Springs is fully exposed but respected off his current mark but the very lightly-raced Late Date, a good second here last time, could prove the main danger on his handicap bow as he surely has room for considerable progression. Zaru has a chance at his best but is hard to call at present and the likes of the consistent Craig Star and nicely-weighted Forty Crown rate more solid shortlist options.
Craig Star (IRE) 10-3fav (11-9) Rear of mid-division on inner, progress into 6th 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Hurry Kitty (11-6) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp gd in Oct.
Maggie Blue (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Led, headed before 7th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Hartforth (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Native Optimist (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, lost place from 6 out, weakened from 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Berkshire Downs 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, blundered 3 out, challenged last, kept on and just held post, 2nd of 10, nk behind Bells On Sunday (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Zaru (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, reminder after 1st and approaching 6th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Late Date (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Bako De La Saulaie (11-2) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 4th, led 6th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, dist behind Master Rajeem (10-13) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Forty Crown (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until before next, chased leading pair until ridden approaching last, 4th and one pace run-in, 4th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Loch Linnhe (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Dante's Way (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, dist behind Bako De La Saulaie (11-2) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Notonebuttwo (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Took keen hold and hung left, raced wide throughout, headway to lead after 1st, headed 8th, chased leaders until weakened quickly before next, soon behind, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
