held up in rear, ridden 5th, under pressure when struggling after 3 out
raced wide, close up and dropped to rear before 5th, soon no chance and hit next
led, ridden and headed well before 2 out, 5th and blundered when beaten 2 out
tracked leaders to 3rd, prominent, ridden, hung right and weakened before 2 out
keen hold early, settled 3rd, went 2nd 3rd, upsides winner when hit 2 out, soon no impression, lost 2nd run-in
held up in 5th, headway to track leading pair approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
held up, smooth headway to lead before 2 out, clear before last, easily
As usual this event is nowhere near as competitive as the real thing at Cheltenham, and Feathard Lady should be good enough to score, with Intersky Falcon and Royal Shakespeare on the short list. Intersky Falcon is top on official ratings, but is said to be suited by flat tracks, and so the Sandown hill may just find him out, while Royal Shakespeare is very good on his day and would prefer the ground to quicken to increase his chance. Feathard Lady possesses the sort of qualities that make her a leading contender and she goes on any ground, is very game and her long winning run looks set to continue. Natal is progressive and looks best of the rest, but Feathard Lady can win it for Ireland.
Akilak (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, in touch but pushed along when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Harchibald (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs, 9 ran.
Cloudy Grey (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Led until hard ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, still well there last, weakened run-in, 4th of 19, 9l behind Verasi (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) hvy.
Intersky Falcon 14-1 (11-0) Led, ridden last, headed and not quicken flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Harchibald (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs.
Natal (FR) 4-11fav (11-8) Prominent, not fluent 5th, hit 6th, headway, led 3 out, pushed clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (C) gd beating Blaeberry (10-5) by 5l, 14 ran.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 10-1 (11-4) In touch, chased leader 3rd to 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 25l behind Harchibald (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs.
Self Defense 7-2 (11-7) Held up, reminders after 3rd, chased leaders approaching 3 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Arcalis (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) sft in Nov.
Feathard Lady (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, 4th next, 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl hvy beating Don't Be Bitin (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Hawkit (USA) 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, some headway after 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, well behind Norma Hill (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (D) gd in Oct '04.
