Former Point-to-Point winner Daraz Rose has adapted well to racing under rules and is fancied to be hard to master. Jim Bobs Girl and Maggie Boon are respected as dangers, while Cracking Cliche has started to get the hang of what's required of her in the jumping game and is also a threat. Venetia Williams has been patient with the last named and she is one to bear in mind if the market speaks in her favour. Quite whether she will cope with the going does have to be a concern, though. Maggie Boon is another ex-pointer, whose future lays over fences. She has a pedigree for the game but may just need the outing after 295 days out of action. Jim Bobs Girl made a pleasing first start for Allison Thorpe at Warwick on New Year's Eve - hinting the change of scenery may have rekindled her interest. It is slightly disconcerting that is still a maiden after 11 start but her record of making the frame reads well; so she cannot confidently be ruled out. However, Daraz Rose showed likable qualities when she emerged victorious from her hurdles debut at Ludlow and is fancied to follow up this afternoon. The daughter of the Aga Khan's Darazari jumped fluently when popped a question by Willie McCarthy and she will be very hard to get past if she displays the same battling attitude today.
Daraz Rose (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 4 out, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Winsley Hill (10-10) by a nk, 16 ran.
Cracking Cliche 9-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 6th of 15, 11l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Jim Bobs Girl (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lady Bernie (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, pushed along 7th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Valentines Lady (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Maggie Boon 14-1 (11-0) Held up; hdwy 10; led app 2 out; comf, won at Alpraham 2m 4f ptp in Mar beating Cheers Thank You (12-0) by 10l, 12 ran.
Miss Penfold 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened, 14th of 18, well behind Thebelloftheball (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) In touch, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Turbulance (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Sweet Matriarch 66-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, outpaced from 3 out, 6th of 14, 15l behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Tuppance A Bag (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Not fluent, chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Early Benefit (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jul.
Zaffarella (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Valentines Lady (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
La Cortezana 100-1 (10-4) unseated rider in race won by Chapoturgeon (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft, 13 ran.
