took keen hold, held up in rear, kept on one pace final 2f
chased leaders, ridden approaching straight, soon weakened rapidly and eased
made all, switched left towards stands side rail over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, soon in command
prominent, headway to chase winner approaching straight, ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
mid-division, headway into 3rd approaching straight, weakened inside final 2f
mid-division, pushed along and hung left over 3f out, soon no impression
always in rear, struggling final 5f, tailed off
towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, plugged on
in touch, pushed along over 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f
behind, pushed along 7f out, struggling from 5f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway into 3rd over 1f out, kept on steadily inside final furlong
chased winner to approaching straight, soon ridden and weakened quickly, tailed off
CEILIDH ROYAL is bred to be decent and has been found a very winnable race so looks the percentage call ahead of Black Annie and Deejan. Nicky Henderson's filly is a half-sister to the yard's very smart Barber's Shop who himself won a similar race on debut so the omens for this four-year-old are good. The yard continues to fire in winners and is of course amongst the most successful in bumpers so providing the market makes the right noises Barry Geraghty's mount looks set to take some beating here. Black Annie makes some appeal for Paul Webber on the basis of her debut third. The filly surprised connections that day but could build on the effort if taking to the soft ground likely here although breeding suggests she will surely want further than this in due course, as might Ease And Grace who hails from a yard that can ready one to win first time up but looks worth opposing unless the market suggests otherwise. Of bigger interest is Deejan who wasn't beaten far returning from a break last time and if building on that over the extra distance could have a say in the finish with David England up. Present Your Case and Welcome Wonder are two with reasonable form in the book but neither looks above average with the latter in particular bred to be a very modest sort, whilst Definitely Lovely doesn't look an obvious candidate on paper ahead of her debut but represents a strong yard and is therefore worth watching in the market. Those with form look modest and it may not take a special newcomer to take this but in Ceilidh Royal we select one who has the makings of a smart filly and this looks the perfect starting point.
Aega 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4f out, soon ridden, beaten, 7th of 16, 16l behind Bringewood Belle (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Nov.
Black Annie (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Anis Etoile (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m N H flat (6) gd in May.
Ceilidh Royal Erhaab filly out of Close Harmony.
Deejan (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 12f out, headed 4f out, stayed chasing leaders, one pace over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Dingat (11-2) at Ffos Las 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Definitley Lovely Definite Article filly out of Fair Maid Marion.
Ease And Grace King's Theatre mare out of Swing Quartet.
Jo Joe's Lot (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, 4th of 14, 27l behind King Of The Night (11-0) at Stratford 2m NH flat (6) gf in Sep.
Mist Chances 16-1 (10-9) Held up, pushed along over 7f out, lost touch 6f out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Amroth Bay (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
My Viking Bay (IRE) Saddlers' Hall mare out of So Supreme.
Present Your Case (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway on outside 6f out, challenged over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on until edged right, headed near finish, no extra, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Bringewood Belle (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Nov.
Roof Top Tango Dancing Spree filly out of Gables Girl.
Sun Up (IRE) Orpen filly out of Amour Toujours.
Welcome Wonder 33-1 (10-0) Held up, in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dingat (11-2) at Ffos Las 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
