with leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 7th, chased winner and ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened approaching 7th
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear and keen, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led approaching 7th, kept on well
towards rear, reminder 3rd, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 4 out
ROMANCE DANCE may not represent one of the big stables but she could make them go from the front and looks worth chancing ahead of French import Daliarose and Detroit Red. Sophie Leech's Terimon mare ran a blinder at Aintree last time, only giving way late on to Entertain Me. She seemed to gel with jockey Donal Devereux who retains the ride and with an official rating of 108 she sets a fair UK standard to aim at. The most interesting rival is the filly Daliarose, a recruit from France who was last seen winning at Enghein. Her French form is not easy to weigh up but the Pipe's have a great history with their French recruits and any market support would look pretty ominous for her rivals. Himitas put in a better run at Uttoxeter last time but that wasn't the most competitive of heats, whilst Polson needs to improve on her bumper form now tackling hurdles after a year on the sidelines. Of more interest is Detroit Red who seems to be getting the hang of things and she lost little caste in defeat behind two smart horses at the track last month; she gets plenty of weight as a four-year-old and is respected. Nothing else leaps off the page so for the winner we return to Romance Dance.
Romance Dance 33-1 (11-3) Led until after 1st, pressed leader until before 3 out, soon ridden, hit last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Entertain Me (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Daliarose (FR) (11-0) won at Enghien(FR) 2m 1f clm hdl sft in May beating Tuseurat (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Armagnac Empress 33-1 (11-7) To & pu 12, in a race won by John Daniell (11-7) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Apr, 15 ran.
Himitas (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led when not fluent 3 out, headed next, 4th and beaten when mistake last, 5th of 12, 10l behind Benedict Spirit (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Polson 100-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6f out, 11th of 13, well behind Grand Award (10-12) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gf in Jul '09.
Detroit Red 25-1 (9-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 5th, outpaced by front pair after 3 out, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Osric (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Graceful Fifi 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along after halfway, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Gorgehous Lliege (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
