tracked leader approaching 4th, not fluent 4 out, led 3 out, ran on
in touch, blundered 2nd, jumped left mostly, headway 12th, ridden 13th, staying on to take 2nd close home
held up, mistake 9th (water), lost touch 12th
led, joined and headed 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, lost touch 12th
in touch, headway 12th, ridden 13th and one pace
There's not always any strength in depth to these contests and this race is no exception with four runners needing something extraordinary to occur to taste success. La Dame Brune is the selected of a strong Henderson entry and may well have scored on her chase bow but for slipping on landing but Blaeberry has yet to put a foot wrong and is preferred. La Dame Brune lost her way after a promising start over hurdles but was in the process of running a big race on her chase bow at Market Rasen until making that costly mistake. She should win races but Blaeberry is an above average opponent. Emma Lavelle's mare proved to be a tough and progressive hurdler last season and there was plenty to like about her chase bow at Stratford in November where she brushed aside last year's Champion Hurdle fifth, Kawagino, with the minimum of fuss. True he isn't the same horse over fences but he's no mug and the other two finishers who were beaten out of sight have both gone on to win races. Blaeberry is an exciting prospect and should win today.
Blaeberry 4-6fav (10-9) Held up in 3rd, went 2nd 8th, led 9th, clear approaching last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Nov beating Kawagino (10-11) by 6l, 4 ran.
La Dame Brune (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 9th, led 4 out, headed when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Souri Des Champs (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (3) sft, 5 ran.
Making Overtures 150-1 (10-0) Mid-division when hampered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Fleet Street (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Premier Hope (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 9th, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 13, 7l behind Ouragan De Prairie (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Serengeti Sunset (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Led to 7th, weakened from 9th and pulled up in race won by Cryptic (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Tacinja (GER) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 9th, ridden after 2 out, weakening when blundered last, 7th of 16, 11l behind Mondial Jack (10-10) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
