held up behind leaders, headway to dispute 2nd from 3 out, kept on run-in to take 2nd last stride but no chance with winner
raced wide, tracked leaders, headway to dispute 2nd from 4th, led well before 2 out, jumped left last, driven and kept on strongly, run-in
chased leaders, disputing 2nd from 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression run-in and caught for 2nd last stride
led, ridden and headed well before 2 out, soon driven, kept on under pressure run-in
mostly tracked leader until jumped slowly 4th, stayed challenging until ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up behind leaders, hit 3 out, effort on outside and hit 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
Refinement may not have set the world alight since being switched to hurdles but has won all four starts and the chances are that she has been let in lightly on a mark of just 123 for her debut in this grade in a race where Pay Attention and Miss Pebbles rate the main dangers. The selection has done everything asked of her so far and the form of her latest success has been boosted by the subsequent success of Pirate Flagship off 115 so she would appear to be reasonably well treated. Martin Pipe's Sardagna has been given a break since her latest start and could be of interest back over hurdles. Sword Lady has given little cause for optimism of late, while Dancing Pearl seems to be in the grip of the handicapper and of more interest may be Pay Attention. Tim Easterby's mare stepped up on his reappearance effort when finding just Diamond Sal too good at Carlisle last time and would have claims if improving on that effort again. Miss Pebbles is less exposed than most and could be of interest off what looks a decent mark but Refinement was high class in bumpers and has done nothing wrong over hurdles so is fancied to win again.
Pay Attention 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to lead 3 out, ridden, headed approaching next, every chance last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Diamond Sal (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov.
Refinement (IRE) 4-9fav (11-3) Made all, quickened on bit approaching 2 out, jumped left 2 out and soon ridden, pushed clear from last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (C) gd in Nov beating Pirate Flagship (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dancing Pearl 13-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kingkohler (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Sept, 9 ran.
Sword Lady 10-3 (11-0) Not going well in rear, driven along and struggling from 12th, 6th of 10, 28l behind Sunny South East (10-8) at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (E) gd in Nov.
Sardagna (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent until 6th, chased leaders, ridden and effort approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 10, 11l behind Too Forward (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Nov.
Miss Pebbles (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) In touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Magnifico (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
