held up, good headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent chasing leaders, 2nd and every chance after 4 out, soon one pace
mid-division to 4th, soon behind
led to 2nd, in touch till ridden and weakened rapidly 8th, pulled up before next
in rear, some moderate late headway from 4 out
led after 2nd, ran green approaching 6th, led to 8th, weakened rapidly next
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake 7th, finished well behind
prominent, ridden and mistake 7th, soon outpaced, ran on from 3 out
in rear, some late headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, headway to lead after 8th, headed before 9th, weakened next
held up mid-division, headway to take closer order 8th, led 3 out, ridden out
held up mid-division, ridden 9th to be nearest the finish
always towards rear, finished tailed off
in touch, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, one pace from 4 out
A relatively open look to this maiden hurdle where, without prior knowledge of any potential gambles, we will short list those with previous experience and take a chance on Blue Romance. The Paul Nicholls-trained mare did not get off to the best of starts over hurdles, falling at the first at Wincanton on Boxing Day. However, her bumper win at the same track in November promised better things and as she was not unfancied for her hurdling debut and comes out again quite quickly it seems reasonable to assume that connections are happy with her at home and feel she can put in a clear round this time. Granted that, she must go close and is our selection. Another who could go well is Winsley, the mount of Tony McCoy and one who performed well to win a debut bumper at Folkestone in November. The Sula Bula gelding comes here with a bit to prove, however, after a lack lustre effort next time at Aintree. Cooldine King showed similar form to that of Winsley when taking a Sandown bumper on his racecourse debut and got bogged down in the Lingfield mud last time. With a decent surface to gallop on here, Paul Webber's charge might just be the one to test the selection most, while we must also give mention to Mendosino, who is being brought along patiently by Venetia Williams and has frame claims here. Nevertheless, we are happy to back Blue Romance to complete and win this time.
