prominent, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3 out, in 3rd and held when fell last
in touch, left 3rd last when weakening
led, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed after last, not quicken
tracked leaders, led after last, driven out
held up, tracked leaders and mistake 5th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened from 5th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
HOAR FROST has the very tentative selection in this opening contest with Amouretta and Sherbet Lemon also given chances. The pick has some of the best flat form among these runners and shaped well on her national hunt debut when landing second place of 13 in a selling contest at Tauton. She may have even won that race if shed hurdled a little better and she should have learnt a lot from that open gambit over obstacles. Amouretta was very moderate on the level but put in a better performance on her hurdles debut last time. The form from the race stands up though with the third placed horse going on to score and with a slight step back in class she should go close. Sherbet Lemon has had two tries over timber after a very short and unsuccessful flat career. She put in a promising debut in National Hunt racing only to show no improvement next time. If some progression can be found she'll be there or thereabouts. Ricci De Mare would have a chance on flat form, although stamina is yet to be proved so in a very tricky start to the day Hoar Frost has the nod.
Amouretta 200-1 (10-5) Mid-division, closer order and mistake 5th, ridden 2 out, weakening when blundered last, 4th of 14, 13l behind Akarshan (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Great Future 150-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place before 3rd last and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cosmea (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Hoar Frost 14-1 (10-5) Never fluent, mid-division, headway 5th, led after 3 out, headed next, every chance when hit last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1l behind No To Trident (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Hurstpierpoint (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Chased leading pair, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 39l behind Gross Prophet (9-13) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Janet's Delight 80-1 (9-9) In rear, mistake and hampered 4th, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 27l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Monkhair (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 8th before 5 out, kept on same pace from before 3 out, 5th of 16, 47l behind Grand Fella (10-12) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Oct.
Mvuto 3-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, soon drifted right under pressure, neck advantage when veered twice towards finish, all out (disqualified, placed 2nd), 2nd of 9, nk behind War Anthem (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Oc.
Purely By Chance 20-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Irish Ballad (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Que Beauty (IRE) 50-1 (7-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 11l behind Three Strings (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov (Flat).
Reelwill (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 6f, lost place 3f out, no impression on leaders after, 5th of 10, 8l behind Brukirk Lass (10-11) at Towcester 1m 5f jnr opn nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Ricci de Mare 25-1 (7-13) Mid-division after 2f, struggling in rear over 3f out, soon tailed off, virtually pulled up entering straight, trotted over line, last of 11, well behind La Estrella (9-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f clm (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Sherbet Lemon 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, soon under pressure, moderate late headway, never nearer, 6th of 15, 24l behind Cosmea (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Veronicas Way 16-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, 41l behind Having A Ball (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov (Flat).
