held up, ridden when left 4th 3 out, took moderate 3rd last
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on
in touch, lost place 5th, hung left and rallying in 4th when ran out 3 out
behind, headway approaching 5th, chased winner approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
held up, headway 4th, weakened 5th, soon lost action and pulled up
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, headway and disputing 4th when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out
Woodford Consult is selected to come out on top over Upright Ima, Imperial Royale and Robbie Can Can in this lady riders' affair. Winning form is a bit thin on the ground here, and as the four-year-old Woodford Consult has already opened her account, she can progress enough against older, more exposed rivals to follow up. Mick Easterby's filly was bought to go jumping, but was thriving so much at home last year that she was entered up at Beverley in June and duly landed a middle-distance handicap under Paul Mulrennan. She failed to add to that on the Flat but came good over hurdles at only the fourth time of asking when putting her stamina to good use to score at Newcastle a fortnight ago. That was no real surprise, given her earlier fourth to the useful Gardasee at Gosforth Park, and with the soft ground and stiff finish here no hindrance to her chances, Woodford Consult is the one to beat. Upright Ima is still a maiden and may have to have her sights lowered to come good, while Imperial Royale has failed to build on a promising effort at Market Rasen in November. Robbie Can Can has not turned out over hurdles since finishing second here under Charlotte Tizzard two years ago, but is fit from the all-weather, and could figure if jumping well, but we much prefer the claims of Woodford Consult.
Robbie Can Can 9-4jt-fav (11-3) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, mistake 3 out, effort on outer 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Silk Trader (11-12) at Sandown 2m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gd in Mar '04.
Wardash (GER) 25-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Alph (11-1) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Fiddlers Creek (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 18, 28l behind Regal Heights (10-13) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Imperial Royale (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Made most to 3 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 14, well behind Waterloo Son (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec.
Woodford Consult 11-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway and effort approaching 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Nobodys Perfect (10-11) by 2l, 17 ran.
Upright Ima 11-1 (9-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 17, 11l behind Make My Hay (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Comete du Lac (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, led again 4th to 5th, weakened before 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Irish Blessing (11-6) at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Broughton Knows 40-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Full Minty (12-7) at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Jan, 9 ran.
Needwood Spirit 4-1 (10-7) In touch, pushed along 7th, out paced after 4 out, stayed on after 2 out, 4th of 8, 25l behind Silver Seeker (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.