chased leaders until driven and lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, driven and not run on after 8th, soon pulled up
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, weakened before 3 out tailed when pulled up before next
always behind, tailed when pulled up before 3 out
made most, driven after 9th, blundered and headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened and lost poor 2nd before 2 out
behind, ridden and struggling 7th tailed off
held up in rear, smooth headway to track leaders from 9th, led on bit 3 out, drew steadily clear unchallenged
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd 2 out, no chance
in touch, effort 8th, in touch when pulled up quickly before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 9th, chased leading pair under pressure when blundered 3 out, pulled up and dismounted approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened before 9th, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted before last
pressed leader, outpaced after 9th, stayed on same pace from next
Heavenly Stride has a good chance of finally going one better, and is preferred over the likes of Altitude Dancer, Master d'Or and Eau Pure to name but three. Peter Bowen is not in the best of health at present, but the success of Genghis in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at the weekend will have been a tonic, and another winner may be on the cards here in the shape of Heavenly Stride. The nine-year-old is fully exposed unfortunately, and could do with some help from the handicapper, but he has been second three times in his last five starts, including at Carlisle and Towcester. He will find Plumpton a piece of cake compared to the stiff finishes at those two tracks, and with the competent Paul O'Neill in the saddle, he can come good at last and gain his first victory in two years. Altitude Dancer overcame a slow pace when scoring here the time before last, and stayed on after losing his place at Hereford next time. He will be more at home back in this company and appears to be the main danger. The five-year-old Master d'Or will pay to follow next season, but could take a hand here, while Eau Pure looks to have it to do based on her win in poor company at Fontwell. For the winner we return to Heavenly Stride.
Heavenly Stride 10-3 Tracked leader, led 2nd, hit 4th, headed 7th, hung left from 8th, led 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, beaten when hit last, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Rowley Hill at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Mar.
Nick The Silver 9-2 Prominent led 3rd to 6th, led again 7th, ridden and headed after 9th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Turaath at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Statley Raj (IND) 8-1 Mid-division, outpaced and beaten 6th, 9th of 12, 45l behind Wenger at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Mar.
Leroy's Sister (FR) 7-2 Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 14l behind Gordon Highlander at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Altitude Dancer (IRE) 3-1 In touch, ridden and mistake 6th, outpaced next, rallied from 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 9, 3l behind L'Oiseau at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Master d'Or (FR) 7-1 Held up towards rear, headay 7th, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Kadam at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Mar.
Eau Pure (FR) 6-1 In touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to close before 2 out, driven ahead run in, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Mar beating Red Ensign by 2l, 14 ran.
Adelphie Lass 12-1 In touch, driven after 7th, no impression after, 6th of 14, 13l behind Eau Pure at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Mar.
