in touch, soon in rear, reminders before 8th, outpaced from next, never dangerous
led, headed 9th, led 7 out, clear before 3 out, kept on well
in rear, soon in touch, chased winner before 5 out, kept on and no impression
with leader, led before 9th, headed 7 out, pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, outpaced from 4 out, plugged on from 3 out, no impression
Dawnieriver has won six times over fences including a victory over this course and distance. She's had little to do to win her last two starts but is still on a lower mark than her easy success here last year. She wouldn't want any more rain unlike HOO BALLY DIVA, who thrives on soft ground. Bob Buckler's mare completed a double over hurdles earlier this year and has raced against much better opposition than this in two starts over fences at Exeter, finishing runner-up to the long odds-on Coup De Pinceau then chasing home another smart performer in Lil Rockerfeller. Sean Houlihan's claim can enable her to gain her first victory over fences. Winning point-to-pointer Silent Steps has yet to win under Rules having gone from Nicky Henderson to Paul Nicholls and now on to Neil King and he ran poorly for the yard at Lingfield last time though he did have Megaboost behind. Archview Sunshine ran 17 times between the flags without winning and was out with the washing on his first three starts over timber until an 80/1 shock at Newcastle where she made all and never looked like being caught, form that is unlikely to be replicated here.
Hoo Bally Diva (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) With winner, ridden after 4 out, kept on, readily outpaced by winner before last, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Lil Rockerfeller (11-10) at Exeter 3m (3) gs in Nov.
Silent Steps (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7th until approaching 9th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Miss Yeats (10-13) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Dawnieriver (IRE) 11-10fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led next, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied to lead again soon after last, ridden out, won at Fakenham 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Sweet Destination (11-1) by nk, 3 ran.
Archview Sunshine (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Jumped well, made all, set steady pace until quickened after 4th, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, all out, won at Newcastle 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Nov beating Donnas Dream (10-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Megaboost (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased winner until 7th, chased leaders, blundered 10th, weakened soon after, last of 6, dist behind Miss Yeats (10-13) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.