ran in snatches, soon prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
chased leader until after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in touch, reminders after 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up and behind, headway after 8th, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace approaching 2 out
chased leaders until weakened after 10th, tailed off
led until headed approaching 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up and behind, pushed along after 6th, headway of lead approaching ninth, headed after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up and behind, headway approaching 9th, led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent until weakened 10th, tailed off
behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
Not a very competitive handicap hurdle and one that can go to Sylphide, with Mensch and Magical Liaison others for the short list. The selection is trained by legendary permit holder John Manners, who loves nothing better than landing a gamble, as he has done with the mare on two of her last three starts. She stays extremely well on this faster ground, and looks up to defying a 7lb penalty before going up by that amount from the weekend. Mensch was a Hereford winner over this trip two starts ago. He also appreciates fast ground, stays and jumps well but does look in the grip of the handicapper for the moment and may find a couple too good. One of those could be the consistent Magical Liaison. He has a 7lb pull for a three-and-a-half length defeat by Sylphide last time out but gives the impression that he is still better over shorter than this and although he should go very well given that weight reversal we still fancy Sylphide will be good enough to confirm her superiority.