led, ran wide and headed 5th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
with leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up, smooth headway after 5th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, soon held, stumbled last
mid-division, headway after 5th, effort after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, some headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
chased leaders until after 4th, behind from next
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
By far and away the more competitive of the two divisions; we'll take OPATJA to take the prize back to Ireland but fear Red And White and Je Ne Sais Plus. Gordon Elliott has a commendable strike rate on these shores and particular attention should be taken if he acquires the services of Tony McCoy. Opatja may have found the trip beyond her at Navan but she ran well enough when a beaten favourite at Sligo prior to that to believe that she can score here. Red And White was a shade disappointing last time but quicker ground could bring about some improvement from this daughter of Red Ransom and she isn't one to discard yet. Je Ne Sais Plus also has to put a mildly disappointing run behind her but she's another with time on her side and she has claims on the form that she showed earlier in the season. Bathwick Quest is better than she showed last time but is vulnerable, Jersey Countess and My Rebecca are open to improvement after just one start over obstacles and are worth a second look but Opatja's the pick.
Bathwick Quest (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, chased leaders 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Argento Luna (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Dabaratsa (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, behind from 5th, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Six Day War (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Francly Flora 66-1 (10-10) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 44l behind Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Je Ne Sais Plus (FR) 9-1 (10-3) Not always fluent, held up in rear, effort 7th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Fredo (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Jersey Countess (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 12, 20l behind You're The Top (11-0) at Kempton 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
My Rebecca 16-1 (10-9) Last and well off the pace, not fluent 3rd, jumped slowly 5th, went poor 4th after 6th, 4th of 5, 45l behind Fairyland (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Opatja 8-1 (11-2) 6th of 29, 13l behind Aura About You (11-4) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Sep.
Star Lady (GER) 80-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, under pressure 4 out, tailed off when mistake last, 11th of 15, well behind Izita Star (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Jessica 25-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Latin America (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Feb.
Red And White (IRE) 5-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Sparkling Montjeu (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f fll nov hdl (4yo) (4) sft in Mar.
Vic's World (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 14, 17l behind Cool Friend (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
