mid-division, reminders after 7th, soon lost place, tailed off, pulled up 3 out
held up, headway and mistake approaching 9th, went poor 3rd 3 out
held up, weakened approaching 9th
made all, clear from 3 out, eased towards finish
prominent, weakened approaching 9th
tracked winner and keen, soon with winner until weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, chased winner going to 3 out, no impression
In receipt of weight EPEE CELESTE should be very hard to beat here, with Gilwen Glory and Ease And Grace those most likely to pose problems. David Pipe's French import was noticeably weak in the market when making his debut at Leicester, but the filly ran well in taking third to a promising sort. Admittedly the form hasn't worked out particularly well but this looks a weak race and the likely favourite should be fitter for that initial outing, so she rates an automatic pick. Gilwen Glory holds solid form claims, so despite conceding weight all-round she looks likely to pose the biggest threat. Evan Williams' mare won well enough two starts ago and her subsequent third still represented a solid performance, and as conditions are no problem she'll run her usual sound race here. In such a weak affair Emma Lavelle's hurdling debutant Ease And Grace is afforded respect, having performed with some promise in one bumper start. This Kings Theatre-mare should be at home in the likely testing ground and could improve past a few more exposed sorts, such as Evella who was well held last time and Fleur de Vassy who showed very little in her sole hurdles start. Cherry Flora is clearly thought capable of better having attracted support but she's yet to show it and Siouxme doesn't make much appeal on paper, so we'll return to Epee Celeste to score.
Gilwen Glory (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Not fluent 1st, in touch, pushed along 5th, chasing leaders when hit 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Midnight Queen (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Cherry Flora 5-2fav (11-1) Mid-division, hit 2nd, chased leader after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Ellen Tilley (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan '09.
Ease And Grace 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway into 3rd approaching straight, weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 13, 13l behind Deejan (10-12) at Ludlow 2m N H flat (4) sft in Dec.
Evella (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, raced keenly, led 4th, headed after next, hit 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind Queen Poline (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Fleur de Vassy 16-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 42l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Siouxme (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up; hdwy 12; wknd 15; lft rem 2nd last, 2nd of 12, well behind Cannington Brook (11-7) at Charlton Horethorne 3m ptp in Mar.
Epee Celeste (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, relegated to 3rd when hit 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Veiled (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gf in Dec.
