took keen hold, left in lead 1st, headed before next, led approaching 7th, ridden and headed going to 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression on winner
always handy, led before 3 out, jumped left thereafter, clear 2 out, stayed on well
badly hampered 1st, held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off
badly hampered 1st and rider lost iron briefly, held up in touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, no impression, 3rd and beaten last, no extra
took keen hold, hampered 1st, headway to lead before next, headed approaching 7th, outpaced after 9th, stayed on flat
hampered 1st, jumped left in rear, behind from 6th, pulled up after
led until tried to refuse 1st, held up in touch, not fluent 6th, struggling from next, pulled up before last
left prominent 1st, held up, closed after 3rd, ridden after 9th, one pace before 3 out, mistake last
Miss Kalifa won over this trip at Ffos Las in November and was second under her penalty back at that track last month having found better company too strong at Newcastle in the interim. Her stable is woefully out of form, however, and the mare is taken on here with GROVE PRIDE. Henry Daly's gelding can be forgiven his run under a big weight in a Grade 3 handicap at Sandown last month having won easily over 2m4f at ascot previously. There's no reason to suspect he won't last home over 3m on this sharp track. Talkonthestreet got off the mark over this trip at Exeter last month but will find this a tougher proposition under a penalty while Italian Master was well beaten on his hurdling debut and hunter chaser Oca De Thaix is likely to get outpaced.
Grove Pride 20-1 (11-12) Led, blundered 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Ambion Wood (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Talkonthestreet (IRE) 5-6fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Likeable Rogue (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Adios Alonso (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, stepped at 3 out, soon well beaten, pulled up before next, in a race won by Miss Milborne (10-11) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Italian Master (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, chased leaders when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened after next, 10th of 16, 27l behind Hit The Headlines (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Oca De Thaix (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division and keen, joined leaders before 7th, lost place after 11th, 9th of 11, well behind Divine Intavention (12-1) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Sunrise Court 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 5th, ridden and losing touch when jumped left 6th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Sohappyharry (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Unnecessary Xpense 100-1 (11-3) Towards rear, slow 2nd, behind and struggling 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Heavenstown (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Miss Kalifa (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Mistakes, soon chasing leading pair, led 7th, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra and beaten before last, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Makethe Mostofnow (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
