A good turnout as one would expect and UNITED is our pick with Accordello and Shatabdi the most likely to give her something to think about. Followers of the bounce theory will doubtless be wary of Lucy Wadham's mare but she has definite ability in between absences and proved as resolute as ever when landing a handicap at Haydock last month. Trip and ground suit and on the figures, she is clear. Accordello has to reverse form on that running. Off level weights rather than off handicap marks, that task may not be altogether easy. Shatabdi is the pick of a bumper entry from the Nicky Henderson stable at the five day stage. She beat Aimigayle over chase fences at Huntingdon and that form has obviously been boosted greatly since. Blaeberry is on something of a losing run having notched a four-timer during Summer 2007. Magical Legend probably needs further than this but clearly has shown no ills for that below par performance at Kempton. Circus Rose takes a massive step up in class having put together two victories at Fakenham and Huntingdon in as many starts. Sweetheart steps up in trip. United has obvious concerns about a bounce following absence but her raw ability should see her through today.
Accordello (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place 4 out, 5th of 12, 24l behind United (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Blaeberry 6-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, headway after 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind One Gulp (11-2) at Kempton 3m mrs lst nov hdl (1) gd in Nov.
Circus Rose 13-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Tot Of The Knar (11-6) by 3l, 14 ran.
Magical Legend 9-2 (11-4) In rear, blundered 6th, reminders next, lost touch 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Aimigayle (10-6) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec, 8 ran.
Owlesbury Dream (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders, hit 10th, 11th and 12th, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind Katess (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Shatabdi (IRE) 4-6fav (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 7th, left 2nd 10th, challenged 12th, led 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Dec beating Aimigayle (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sweetheart 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, led next, clear when hit 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when headed flat, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Ned Ludd (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Theatre Belle 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged last, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Terenzium (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
United (GER) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 6th, headed next, led last, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Chief Yeoman (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
