held up in rear, headway after 7th, mistake 3 out, challenged next, ridden to lead last, headed flat, no impression final 100 yards
led, ridden after 3 out, soon strongly pressed, headed last, kept on same pace
held up in touch, challenged 3 out, led flat, driven out
held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden after 7th, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off
prominent, chased leader 6th until 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, not fluent last
in touch on outside, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, soon outpaced, rallied 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden on outside approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader until 6th, soon pushed along, outpaced when mistake 3 out, stayed on to take 4th flat
mid-division, took keen hold, headway 3rd, dropping to rear when not fluent next, soon struggling, tailed off
Maraafeq will be popular after his stroll in the park at Fontwell however this is a better race and a chance is taken on MISS SARENNE ahead of Quinte Du Chatelet and Willies Way. The selection fluffed her lines over fences last time out, and indeed she has now been a beaten favourite on her last three starts. On her first UK start she fell when clear at the last but now returned to hurdling she could go well for her capable young pilot. Quinte De Chatelet was a market drifter before his fourth to Fruity O'Rooney at Lingfield and better is anticipated today with the ground in his favour, Maraafeq travelled like a dream when successful at Fontwell but he has flattered to deceive before, whilst Tyson needs a market check on his return from three years off the track and this classy fellow has been persevered with. Quintessentially looks to be on a fair mark as he makes his handicap bow, although he may not get all of his own way out in front. Wester Ross stays well on the flat so this longer trip today should hold no fears, as it shouldn't for Ned Ludd with Richard Johnson an interesting jockey booking. Bally Sands may not be seen to his best until tackling fences, so a bigger danger should be Willies Way. He has been off since September, and looking at his form it may be because he prefers better ground which looks unlikely here. An open heat, but a chance is taken on Miss Sarenne.
Miss Sarenne (FR) 6-4fav (10-1) Held up in touch, pushed along approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Nomecheki (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov stks (3) sft in Jan.
Quinte du Chatelet (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Led until 3rd, chased leader, led 9th, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 14, 23l behind Fruity O'rooney (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) std in Feb.
Maraafeq (USA) 9-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led next, soon ridden, stayed on well to go clear from last, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb beating Apocal (10-12) by 20l, 12 ran.
Tyson (SAF) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, ridden after 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 7th of 8, 38l behind Blythe Knight (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (1) gd in Apr '07.
Quintessentially (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed just before 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind General Kutuzov (11-4) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Wester Ross (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Pressed leader, challenged 4th, hit next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 22l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened soon after, 8th of 11, 24l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Pyleigh Lady 11-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, weakened after 8th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Bella Haze (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Bally Sands (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 7th until approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Wayward Prince (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Willies Way 8-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 7th, jumped left 8th, mistake 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, rallied last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep beating Phone In (10-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
