prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened
jumped slowly 1st, held up in rear, headway 5th, led after 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner
held up, soon in touch, weakened after 2 out
tendency to jump left, chased leader to 3rd, soon steadied, in touch when slipped on landing and unseated rider 5th
led, headed after 3rd, led again next, headed 5th, weakened next, tailed off
keen early, in rear, not fluent 4th, lost touch before next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader from 1st, led after 3rd, headed next, ridden and close 3rd when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, soon clear, easily
SILK AFFAIR might not be much of a price but she looks a good bet to land this maiden hurdle; the list of dangers is headed by Bella Haze and Lupita. Mick Quinlan's filly ran well on her debut and then she built on that when chasing home Ronaldo Des Mottes at Folkestone last time out. She looks to be on an upward curve and with ground conditions to suit she really should be up to taking this. Bella Haze is another who will handle the ground and she won a bumper in decent style when she beat Peveril at Chepstow last month. She is making her debut over timber today and she has obvious claims. Lupita will handle the ground but she is thoroughly exposed and it will be disappointing if there is not something good enough to beat her today. Jim Old's Mrs Fawlty could prove the best of the others, but Silk Affair looks a good bet to get her head in front.
Bella Haze 12-1 (10-7) Made all, kept on gamely when pressed 2f out, asserted final furlong, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec beating Peveril (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Gouranga 150-1 (10-5) Held up in last, not fluent 2nd, struggling to keep up after 6th, lost touch next, tailed off when mistake 8th, 5th of 6, well behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-4) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft.
Lupita (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden 6th and chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 17, well behind Deep Pockets (11-7) at Exeter 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Mrs Fawlty (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) In touch, raced keenly, weakened 4f out, 10th of 12, 32l behind Asturienne (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Slickdalay (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Space Queen 150-1 (10-9) Held up, lost touch halfway, 10th of 11, well behind Alfie Sherrin (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Ricci de Mare 25-1 (10-1) Held up, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Purely By Chance (10-8) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Silk Affair (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway going well between last 2, chased winner well before last, kept on run-in but held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs.
