reluctant and led in start, started slowly and lost 12 lengths, headway to press winner 2nd, led and disputed after until headed after 3 out, ridden and no extra before next, hit last
led, joined 2nd, led and disputed after, advantage after 3 out, in command from 2 out, pushed along and kept on strongly from last
held up tracking leaders, mistake 7th, went moderate 3rd after 8th, tailed off and no chance with leading pair when hung right onn bend before 2 out
took keen hold, held up in 3rd, went left and mistake 5th, dropped to moderate 4th after 8th, tailed off
held up last, pushed along before 8th, soon well outpaced and struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
This is an interesting clash between Massannie and TOUBEERA. The former hasn't raced since July but fitness is rarely an issue with a David Pipe runner. More worrying is the fact that all of her hurdles wins in the summer came in fast ground, though she did win her bumper on the soft. We prefer Venetia Williams' mare, who has been taking on decent opposition in her two runs this winter. She wasn't disgraced at Newbury last time and two of the three that finished in front of her that day have won since. The other three are probably competing for place money.
Massannie (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led from 1st, joined when fell 3 out, in a race won by Man Of Leisure (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Jul, 6 ran.
Toubeera 8-1 (11-6) Led, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 17l behind Carole's Spirit (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Cove 8-1 (11-9) Ww rr, prog to 7th 1/2way, 4th 3out & wnd 2out, 2l 2nd & no ch with wnr bef last, kow, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Kilbree Kid (12-0) at Lismore 3m ire ptp gd in Mar.
Present Trend (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division in touch, driven to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden and no impression from over 2f out, lost modest 4th inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 16l behind Ballyhollow (10-12) at Towcester 2m mares n h flat (6) sft in Dec.
Whatagoa (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, lost touch before 4 out, tailed off when mistake next, 7th of 10, well behind Uncle Jimmy (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
