tracked leader, led before 2 out, drew clear on bit between last 2, unextended
held up 4th and last, struggling when mistake 3 out, went remote 3rd before next, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair
chased front pair, struggling 3 out, soon ridden and lost remote 3rd, tailed off when tired jump next
led, hit 5th, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace in clear 2nd after, no chance with winner
MAY HAY appeared to handle heavy ground in a bumper last year and has won on soft and the Fibresand. Anthony Carson's mare will have needed her run at Leicester last month and could be too good for this bunch. Beyondtemptation will no doubt try and make all again and the drop back to 2m will aid her cause but Near To Tears looks a bigger danger as she's improving with experience, though has no form on going this heavy. Lochnell has shown little over the last 12 months.
May Hay 10-1 (11-2) Took keen hold tracking leders, led 3 out until approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 9, 28l behind Isaac Bell (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Lochnell (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, last of 12, dist behind Another Mattie (11-1) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Near To Tears (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, went modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 8 1/4l behind Cosmic Tigress (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Beyondtemptation 20-1 (10-12) On his toes, raced keenly, led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, headed 3 out, chased leaders, weakened approaching the last, 4th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Marlee Massie (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
