chased leader, ridden when mistake 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, clear last, eased flat
always behind
behind, headway 5th, weakening when blundered 2 out
chased leaders to 5th, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened quickly
always behind
keen, mid-division, lost place approaching 5th, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
in touch, ridden and lost place approaching 5th, soon behind
led, mistake 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened
The penny now looks to have dropped with South African-bred Almah, who is preferred over Mega D'estruval and Fenney Spring to land this mares only contest. The Venetia Williams-trained selection took a while to acclimatise after she made her debut on these shores on the Flat during the summer. However, there was plenty to like about her performance over hurdles at Towcester last month, where she enjoyed a nice breeze around to score as she liked in a similar contest. High-class when she raced on the level in her homeland, Almah is suited by a good test and acts well on the predicted going. The Martin Pipe-trained Mega D'estruval will obviously be a popular choice considering her connections. Even so, she didn't look to be anything out of the ordinary on her first start for Pipe at Lingfield last month and needs to settle better if she is to get the better of our hope today. The firmer surface should help her and she has to be given a cautious look in the betting. Fenny Spring makes the transition from bumpers to timber this afternoon and it is worth taking note how she fares for future reference, while E Minor was regressive on the Flat for both Gerard Butler and her current trainer and she looks one to be wary of for the time being. This is in direct contrast to Almah, whose yard are just stepping things up a notch and can strike again with this improving individual.
