tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, eased 2f out, virtually pulled up
pressed leader until 5f out, weakened over 3f out
made all, clear over 1f out, ran on well
in touch, lost place over 7f out, behind final 5f
tracked leaders, chased winner 5f out until ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten
mid-division on outside, raced keenly, lost place halfway, behind final 5f, tailed off
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 7f out, driven to chase winner well over 1f out, soon edged left, no impression
This could end up being quite a day for Nicky Henderson as we give his LINE FREEDOM the vote in this two mile contest ahead of Poppy Come Running an Alpine Breeze. It is difficult to win a bumper under a penalty but having gained her penalty by taking a similar race by 22 lengths on debut we feel the pick can buck that trend. The form lines from the contest have a bit of strength to them and judging by her pedigree winning should end up a habit. Poppy Come Running ran out when leading coming into the final stages at Folkestone on her first run and would have probably scored. That came on heavy ground so the Fibresand, in theory, should be fine and a similar run will have her close. Alpine Breeze won on debut before running with credit in a top event at Cheltenham last time. This is easier than that last assignment and given an age allowance she has to be considered. Mabel Tasman shaped well enough on debut to suggest that there is more to come but after such a good first effort Line Freedom looks to have a great chance at following up.
Line Freedom (FR) 11-8fav (10-7) In touch, good headway over 4f out, led on bit over 3f out, drew steadily clear final 2f, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f N H flat (4) gd in Apr beating Present Your Case (10-7) by 22l, 12 ran.
Berrydale Covert 40-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden to chase leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 26l behind Fairynuff (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Brixen (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Mid div, rdn in cl 3rd 5out, sn up, no ex late, 4th of 9, 30l behind Run And Dream (12-0) at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp hvy in May.
Foxy Gale (IRE) Shernazar mare out of Toureen Gale.
Millie Jay J B Quick mare out of Nativus.
Poppy Come Running (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Held up in touch, pulled hard early, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon led, ducked left and ran out entering final furlong, in a race won by Malindi Bay (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f N H flat (6) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Detroit Red 25-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, soon lost place, 10th of 14, 16l behind Behindcloseddoors (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f 3yo nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Lesanda 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened inside final 3f, 9th of 16, 23l behind Alpine Breeze (10-5) at Newbury 1m 4f Fillies Juvenile Nat Hunt Flat (3yo) (5) hvy in Dec.
Mabel Tasman 33-1 (9-12) Held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, driven 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, staying on when switched right inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Open Day (10-12) at Lingfield 2m Juvenile Nat Hunt Flat (3yo) (AW) (6) std in Dec.
Black Annie (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, kept on one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 13l behind Deejan (10-12) at Ludlow 2m N H flat (4) sft in Dec.
Osmosia (FR) Mansonnien mare out of Osmose.
She's Sassy (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, until weakened over 3f out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Kaybeew (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (5) hvy in Nov.
Alpine Breeze (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Mid-division but well in touch, outpaced 5f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 11l behind Tetlami (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f Listed (4yo) (1) sft.
Dancing Legend 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 24l behind Alpine Breeze (10-5) at Newbury 1m 4f Fillies Juvenile Nat Hunt Flat (3yo) (5) hvy in Dec.
