tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed between last two, 3rd and one pace before last, no extra and lost 3rd final 100 yards
tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well approaching 3 out, upsides next, led between last two until before the last, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd
held up, in touch, good headway into 4th 3 out, tracked leading pair going well next, led before the last, ridden clear run-in
led until headed weakened rapidly and hung left approaching 3 out, soon behind
last pair, struggling in rear before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leading trio, 3rd 3 out until pushed along next, plugged on into 3rd again final 100 yards, no impression
held up, in touch, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, weakened between last two
pulled hard, in last pair, modest 6th 3 out, struggling when awkward next
A competitive novice hurdle featuring several promising mares and fillies. DUSKY LEGEND is clearly the form pick on her second to Limini in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in March and she had no more than an exercise canter when getting off the mark at Warwick subsequently. She's just preferred to hurdling newcomer Snow Leopardess, who brings very smart bumper form to the table and is getting 5lb, though that one finished behind Ffos Las winner Copper Kay at Aintree in April. Same Circus trounced a decent yardstick at Hexham on her debut under Rules and could be anything and Toberdowney also has plenty of scope but Tahira looks up against it conceding weight all round.
Tahira (GER) 13-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 12, 14 1/4l behind Cliffs Of Dover (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Copper Kay 1-6fav (10-12) Tracked front pair, challenged 3 out, led before next where not fluent, quickened clear between last 2, ran on well from last, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) gs in Oct beating What A Diva (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Dusky Legend 1-5fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, clear 2 out, ran on well, easily, won at Warwick 2m mdn (5) gd in May beating Kaddys Dream (11-2) by 14l, 8 ran.
Same Circus (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Made all, clear before last, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Ethelwyn (11-3) by 7l, 8 ran.
Kaspian Tern 66-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced from 4 out, 8th of 9, 24 1/2l behind Tearsofclewbay (10-10) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Snow Leopardess 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th on outer 5f out, headway to lead 3f out, joined entering straight, soon ridden, led 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 2m lst gd in Sep beating Takeittothelimits (11-5) by 3 3/4l, 20 ran.
Toberdowney (IRE) 5-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, smooth headway from 4f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran green edged left and right inside final furlong, readily, won at Perth 2m (5) sft in Jul beating Tyrrell's Succes (11-7) by 4l, 6 ran.
Westerbee (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Always towards rear and keen, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last, at Hereford 2m 6f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
