held up, headway to chase leader 5th, challenged 3 out, slight lead when fell last
tracked leaders, pulled hard, wandered 2nd, saddle soon slipped, jinked left 3 out, soon wandering under pressure, left 2nd when hampered last, stayed on
led, ridden and headed narrowly when hampered and left in lead last, eased close home
held up, headway and went 3rd briefly 3 out, weakened 2 out
pressed leader until after 4th, weakened after 3 out
prominent, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
An interesting little contest for the mares and we'll take ZAHRA'S PLACE to land it, while Tiger Moss and Double Hit are others to note. The selection has shown the best form of these on the racecourse thus far, and was a course and distance winner on similar ground last time out. She has to give 5lb to all her opponents but she looks the most solid option with conditions in her favour. Tiger Moss has taken a bit longer to get the hang of hurdling, but she was showing signs of progress at Lingfield last time, staying on well, and there should be more to come here. Donald McCain saddles Double Hit, and she has stretched her legs in a couple of bumpers in the autumn, and now tackles timber. She will have been well schooled, the yard does well with its female runners, and they have their runners going well at present so she will be no back number. Covert Mission perhaps wants further than this and if flat form is any guide she'll have a bit to find, while check the market for any confidence in Quechua Des Obeaux, who represents a top yard and has the benefit of a run before coming here. Intriguing then and we'll take Zahra's Place to win it.
Zahra's Place 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, switched right and headway approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov beating Noticeable (11-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Covert Mission 22-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, awkward on bend after 5f, some headway from 3f out, never in contention, 6th of 14, 17l behind Theatrical Moment (11-5) at Aintree 2m nhf (2) gd in May '07.
Double Hit 6-1 (10-12) In touch until weakened 2f out, 5th of 12, 26l behind Diklers Oscar (10-9) at Haydock 2m mrs nhf (5) gf in Nov.
Never Pink (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 18, 26l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Quechua des Obeaux (FR) 14-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, gradually weakened, 7th of 12, 25l behind Shore Thing (11-8) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Tiger Moss 25-1 (10-10) In rear, mistake 2nd, hampered 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 16l behind Divali Princess (10-12) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
