tracked leaders, led 3rd, soon joined, driven and headed approaching last, stayed on
held up in touch, keen hold early, not fluent 5th, soon chasing leader, weakened approaching 2 out
led, mistake 1st, jumped left 2nd, headed just before next, remained prominent until weakened 4 out
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 3 out, soon pushed along and outpaced, eased down and lost 4th place close home
held up mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leader, lost place after 4th, soon beaten
behind, under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway before 4 out, joined leader next, every chance approaching 2 out, led before last, driven clear
AOHNA is narrowly preferred here to On Borrowed Wings and Candy Creek in an interesting opener. The selection has been in good form since her summer break, running good races at Stratford and Ffos Las before fulfilling her potential at Huntingdon last time with an easy win. She has a rating of 110 and sets a pretty good standard for her rivals to aim at. On Borrowed Wings has to give at least 7lbs to all of his rivals and despite a solid win at Listowel last time out on his hurdling bow he is opposed on this first start for new connections. Blazing Sun is open to more improvement now tackling hurdles, Fidelis has run two solid races in defeat this season and his form behind Pepe Simo has been franked, whilst Forest Rhythm was a bit too hit-and-miss in his bumper runs to recommend today. AP McCoy looks an interesting jockey booking for the talented mare Candy Creek; he deserts Know Your Place for the ride on Nicky Henderson's runner and the winner of the mares' bumper at Aintree earlier this year looks a fascinating contender. However she should make the market for Aohna who can win again.
On Borrowed Wings (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th before straight, soon 5th, ran on well under pressure run-in to lead near finish, won at Listowel 2m mdn hdl (6yo+) in Sep beating Ballyvoile (11-12) by nk, 17 ran.
Aohna (FR) 4-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway when slightly hampered 5th, not much room 2 out, led and bumped between last 2, not fluent last, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd beating Playing With Fire (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Blazing Sun (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place well over 4f out, 14th of 15, well behind Volador (11-3) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Fidelis (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, effort 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 10l behind Pepe Simo (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, weakened 4f out, 7th of 13, 43l behind Horsford (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs.
Know Your Place 33-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, no chance after 3 out, 10th of 17, 45l behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Quipe Me Posted (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, some headway 6th, shaken up 3 out, never near to challenge, 6th of 14, 31l behind Wester Ross (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Candy Creek (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led and hung left over 1f out, soon driven, ran on, won at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr beating Liss Na Tintri (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 20 ran.
