always prominent, challenging when not fluent 2 out, slight lead on bit approaching last, headed flat, not quicken
held up in rear, pulled hard, never dangerous
mid-division, jumped right 1st and 2nd, pushed along approaching 3 out, no headway, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, jumped right 1st, wide approaching 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, bumped 1st, behind from 3rd, tailed off
tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, soon led, ridden and headed narrowly approaching last, regained lead flat, driven out, gamely
in rear, pushed along and no chance from 4th, tailed off
in touch, ridden and weakening when not fluent 2 out
led, jumped left 3rd, not fluent next, jumped left 5th, headed just after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off
took keen hold, held up towards rear, hampered 1st, headway approaching 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
A good race of its type for the track and CHARMAINE WOOD is taken to complete a hat-trick of course and distance successes, while Postmaster, Circus Of Dreams and Quazy De Joie are all decent opponents. The selection clearly relishes this stiff circuit, as evidenced by a couple of novices' wins in the autumn. Soft ground suits, and the manner of her most recent win suggested that another penalty wouldn't be a major problem so we will side with her. Postmaster is an admirable Evan Williams-trained gelding who has won three of his last four. It was a moderate race that he won last time when carrying a double penalty but he is very much respected again here. Circus Of Dreams obliged at Folkestone a month ago and he too has conditions to his liking. He should relish the testing circuit here and has chances under his penalty. Quazy De Joie is another who has course and distance success under his belt and he took to hurdling well on that, his debut. There will surely be more to come from him now and with the champion on board he should be bang there. Quintus surely has more to offer than he has shown since joining Chris Bealby but looks best watched for now, Quarl Ego looks almost certain to improve for his debut, while the same can be said of She Is A Cracker. Charmaine Wood is the selection in an intriguing race.
Postmaster 5-1 (11-9) In touch, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, upsides 2 out, led between last 2, in command before last, ridden out, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Limbo King (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Quintus (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up and keen, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Enfant De Lune (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Ajzal (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Held up, headway on outer over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 10, well behind Flavius (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Jun '07 (Flat).
Charingworth (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, always towards rear, 10th of 16, 33l behind Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Just Designs 33-1 (11-0) Held up, reminders after 4f, tailed off 6f out, 9th of 10, well behind Pliny (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Kilvergan Boy (IRE) (11-7) won at Maralin 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov beating Fast Gun (11-7) by 2l, 14 ran.
Quarl Ego (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd, stayed on steadily from 3 out, went 4th flat, never near leaders, 4th of 21, 20l behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Tanner Towers 28-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 10f out, 7th of 9, 49l behind Neil Harvey (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
That's An Honour (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, lost place 5th, progress after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Coda Agency (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct '07.
Winchester Red 80-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 7th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 16, 37l behind Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Star Lady (GER) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
She Is A Cracker (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 15, 19l behind Cosmea (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Quazy de Joie (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Led, headed after 2nd, stayed prominent, led again 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Chaim (11-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Circus of Dreams 4-1 (11-4) Chased leader, closed to lead between last 2, clear last, ridden out flat, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating You Never Said (11-4) by 9l, 10 ran.
Charmaine Wood 2-5fav (11-7) Held up, headway 4th, led 2 out, clear last, won at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Flutter Bye (11-1) by 10l, 12 ran.
Richard The Third 6-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, good headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 10l behind Calaas (10-12) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gf in May.
