raced on inside, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, staying on and disputing close 4th when fell 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
raced wide, led and disputed, not fluent 5th, definite advantage 4 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well flat
held up towards rear, well behind when hit 3 out, 6th, keeping on one pace, looked held when brought down 2 out
held up disputing close 6th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened and struggling soon after next
raced wide, chased leaders, hit 4th, chased winner after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression flat
took keen hold, held up towards rear, hit 4 out, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, disputing held 2nd when hit last, weakened flat
close up, mistake and dropped to rear 8th, soon struggling and tailed off after 3 out
held up disputing close 6th, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
led and disputed, mistake 4th, hit 7th and driven, headed 4 out, stayed well there under pressure until weakened before 2 out
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Amber Brook and ARGENTO LUNA have leading claims here and the latter gets the nod, while Giovanna is another potential threat. The form of that trio's race against each other at Wincanton last month looks to be the key here. On that occasion Amber Brook gave 10lbs and a three-and-a-half length beating to Oliver Sherwood's charge, giving 11lbs and a further length-and-a-half or so to Giovanna. The selection meets her conqueror on 4lb better terms this time around, while Giovanna is 3lbs better off, so both should finish closer. We hope that, with the run under her belt, the Sherwood inmate can reverse the placings with the Twiston-Davies topweight. On a line through Giovanna, Dansimar would have a big chance if able to reproduce the Huntingdon effort that saw her thrash that rival in February, but she was way behind Amber Brook at Wincanton and has it to prove today. Form appears to have deserted My Petra in the past year, and she would have to be right back to her best to win at these weights, while Love Of Tara is worth a check in the market now stepped back up to this trip. She relishes getting her toe in, is open to improvement, and won't mind it if things become attritional. It may not be soft enough for confirmed mudlark Quaspia, though anything that Francois Doumen runs here is respected given his record at the track. Inghwung is interesting after a long absense, although she would probably prefer slightly better ground to be at her best, while Zahra's Place has conditions to suit but takes a big step up in trip and may not get home. Argento Luna is proferred in a competitive contest.
Amber Brook (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, led next, soon headed and outpaced, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Whiteoak (10-12) at Kempton 3m mrs lst hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Dansimar 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 1st, tracking leaders in 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Minella Boys (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Strawberry (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Always prominent on outside, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, soon ridden, 2 lengths clear when not fluent last, rider dropped whip flat, kept on, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating I'moncloudnine (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Argento Luna 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway and not clear run after 2 out, stayed on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Amber Brook (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Giovanna 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 15, 23l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Handicap Hurdle (0-155) (4yo+) (2) sft.
Love of Tara 15-8fav (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Quaspia (FR) (10-10) 4th of 18, 7l behind Quitto Bleu (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hcp hdl sft in Oct.
Inghwung 15-2 (11-5) In touch, joint leader 7th, led approaching last, kept on gamely, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '08 beating Lupanar (10-13) by 1l, 14 ran.
Gold Reef 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon every chance, kept on same pace after last, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Easter Legend (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-125) (4yo+) (3) gd in Nov.
Ambrose Princess (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Led, driven and challenged 2 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Easter Legend (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-125) (4yo+) (3) gd in Nov.
My Petra 16-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, hit 7th, blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Tranquil Sea (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Daurica 3-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 7th until after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Zahra's Place 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 21l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
