not always fluent, in touch, ridden 12th, struggling next, tailed off when pulled up lame before 14th
held up, headway to chase leading pair 14th, outpaced from 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 13th until next, weakened before 4 out
chased leader, reminder after 10th, led 12th, driven after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner
close up in 6th when fell 13th
led to 12th, soon weakened
held up in touch, went 2nd 14th, led travelling well 2 out, soon clear, comfortably
Three stand out for the shortlist here and we take a chance on bottom weight Floreana to outpoint the more experienced Ri Na Realta and Herecomestanley. The selection achieved significantly more than these opponents over hurdles and it is probably significant that Charlie Mann has saved her chasing debut until after the start of the new season, in the hope of running up a summer sequence. The ground should suit and if she jumps well enough she should have too much speed for her opponents. Of those with experience Ri Na Realta should be suited by this step up in trip, having found two and a half miles too short just lately. He has plenty more experience although lightly raced for his age, but he's maybe just a bit long in the tooth. Herecomestanley handles the ground although is better with cut, and is a bit iffy in the jumping department for our liking, so providing she jumps round then Floreana holds the key here.
Carricklee Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) With leaders, not fluent 8th, lost 2nd at 10th, jumped right, struggling from 12th, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Mr Boo (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf in Mar.
Herecomestanley 15-2 (10-9) In touch, headway 8th, led 12th, blundered 3 out, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 7, 10l behind General Grey (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Lunardi (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, hit 2nd, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Wild Is The Wind (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft, 9 ran.
Redhouse Chevalier 50-1 (9-7) Ran in snatches, ridden to lead, hit 3rd, headed 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Parkinson (10-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-88 (5) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Ri Na Realta (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Cullian (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
The Hardy Boy 16-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, pressed leader, led 8th to 10th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 31l behind Saddlers Cloth (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f mdn chs (5) gs in Apr.
Floreana (GER) 40-1 (10-6) Behind most of way, 9th of 16, 31l behind Golden Bay (9-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
