taken to post early, keen led, clear when hit 2nd, hit 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
chased clear leader, closed 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on strongly
held up in touch, closed 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression
always in rear, never on terms
chased leaders, dropped to rear halfway, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on flat, never dangerous
Belle De Fontenay appeared not to last home over a longer trip at Leicester last time but has solid claims dropping back down in distance, while So Is She is less exposed and could also figure on her handicap hurdle debut having scored over timber at Fakenham in November. However, FLITE went close on her return to action when runner-up at Huntingdon last month and with further progress expected she gets the nod. Milly Malone and Just Beware have bits of form that entitle them to consideration though neither looks particularly well handicapped at present.
Belle De Fontenay (FR) 8-15fav (10-4) Led to after 1st, tracked leader, led again 6th, ridden and headed 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 30l behind Ministerofinterior (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Flite (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd approaching last where not fluent, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Night Rose (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Milly Malone (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway on inside approaching 3 out, blundered and hampered next, no impression after, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 17l behind Lights Of Broadway (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
So Is She (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place before 4th, headway 5th, chased winner approaching where mistake, no impression, lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Schism (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (4) gs in Dec.
Just Beware 16-1 (10-8) In touch headway to chase leaders after 4th, went 2nd before 6th, ridden and one pace before 2 out, 4th of 11, 39l behind Dream Again Boys (11-1) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.