HAYES PRINCESS looks to have been allotted a decent handicap mark for her debut in this company, so she's put forward from Even Flo and Go All Out. Tim Vaughan's charge has won two of her four starts, both over trips shorter than today's, but there's every reason to expect she'll stay this far and a rating of 108 may underestimate her ability. The yard have had a quiet time of things lately so a market check is advised, but with so many exposed rivals in oppositions she represents the most potential and, in our view, the most likely winner. Even Flo remains well treated on her significantly higher chase rating, but in fairness that looks to reflect the fact that she's simply better when faced with the larger obstacles. That said, this trip looks to be ideal for her and she rarely runs a bad race so there are definite each way prospects. Go All Out was narrowly behind a horse of Tim Vaughan's in a point to point and, as that one is now rated much higher than this, he's given a chance. The trip won't be a problem and neither will conditions so this gelding is afforded respected in a race that may be less competitive than the numbers suggest. Konigsbote is back down to his last winning mark so much be given a chance, although he might be lacking in stamina come the business end, but even so he's preferred to Pingaro De La Vire who has a reasonable mark to work with but hasn't shown much to date. Requin is another handicap debutant and this French-bred gelding will stay this trip, so he might improve past Captain Smoothy who was pulled up off this mark when last seen. Good For Blue needs a market check whilst Nathan Dee ran reasonably behind a flying mare last time, but by far the most interesting runner is Hayes Princess so she gets our nomination.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Behind, reminders 3rd, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 31l behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Perkin Warbeck 20-1 (11-5) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 15, 38l behind Dovedale (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Pingaro De La Vire (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Blundered 1st, held up, steady headway 9th, chased leaders 4 out, blundered 3 out, 5 lengths down in 3rd and well held when blundered and fell last, in a race won by Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Go All Out (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, short lived effort 8th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Outlaw Tom (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Hayes Princess (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 14l behind Orbital Orchid (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
The Boffinator 28-1 (10-12) Led to 3rd, disputing lead when fell 5th, in a race won by A French Horse (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Good For Blue (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, 4th of 12, 17l behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Requin (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 15, 31l behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Konigsbote (GER) 40-1 (10-11) Behind, effort to chase leaders 3 out, 3rd and outpaced when blundered next, no extra, 4th of 14, 16l behind Have You Seen Me (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Even Flo 15-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 9, 6l behind Free World (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Nathan Dee 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, hit last, 5th of 9, 18l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Captain Smoothy 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, mistake 7th, soon under pressure, lost place 9th, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Vivarini (10-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Bring It On Home 33-1 (10-9) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
