led until jinked right and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, driven 4 out, outpaced from next
raced keenly in touch, led 3rd, headed 2 out, soon one pace, no chance with winner
left in lead 1st, headed 3rd, tracked leader, led going well 2 out, drew clear approaching last, easily
in rear, blundered 4th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out
not fluent, towards rear, behind and struggling when fell 4 out
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, tailed off from next
behind, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace, never reached leaders
Artless should prove hard to beat. Buffy and Falcon's Tribute may fill the minor places although winning pointer Knocklayde Rose is of interest. The selection was progressive on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and impressed when making a winning debut for her new connections in October. She then made a relatively quick reappearance in a Listed race at Wetherby in November where she ran respectably in the face of a stiff task. This is easier and a clear round should see her score. Buffy has plenty of experience having raced twenty three times over hurdles already and she did win last year's renewal but it's hard to envisage a repeat. Falcon's Tribute hasn't fared too badly since winning at Hexham in November but she has plenty to find and will have to settle for a minor role. Irish raider Hi Density has done most of her racing on soft ground and may conceivably improve for the quicker terrain but it's hard to get away from Artless on all known evidence.
Artless (USA) 11-2 (10-12) Keen early, held up, closer order 6th, 4th and weakening when blundered last, 4th of 5, 13l behind Annie's Answer (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst nov hdl (1) gf in Nov.
Buffy 28-1 (9-9) In touch, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 9, 16l behind La Vecchia Scuola (11-12) at Ayr 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Falcon's Tribute (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 5th, headed between last 2, one pace last, 4th of 12, 11l behind Painted Sky (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Hi Density (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 15th of 24, well behind Enter The Indian (10-5) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Mar.
Miss Colima 80-1 (10-11) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Diablo (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Miss Tarantella 100-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, hit 5th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Norman Beckett (11-2) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Knocklayde Rose (IRE) (11-7) Won at Toomebridge, 3m Iri pt gd-sft in Apr beating Crime Dont Pay (11-7) by 3l, 9 ran.
Troys Steps 200-1 (10-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 46l behind Quick Will (10-5) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
