led, ridden and headed approaching 10th, weakened next
in touch, went second 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, weakened 9th
tracked leader, led approaching 10th, clear 3 out, eased considerably flat
Once again, it is not an overly competitive event and maybe Jonjo O'Neill's The Sister holds the answer from Madge Carroll and Silver Gift. The Sister was dropped back in trip last time after racing over three miles the time before. Connections now feel that today's trip is the one that suits her and, lightly raced, she looks set to run a big race. There are those that will say she is vulnerable off top weight and, of course, this could prove to be the case. Turning to the others. Madge Carroll won a novice event at Huntingdon last December but failed to build on that effort. However, she is stepped up markedly in trip today and it will be interesting to see how she goes. She is still lightly raced. Silver Gift does not lack experience, having won five times over hurdles, from a ratings high of 94. She races off 98 here, but her rider takes off a further three pounds, so she has to come in to the reckoning if on song. Martha Reilly won a maiden hurdle at Stratford two years ago, but her form has been a bit in and out in a light career since, although she has run well here in the past. Trumpington won twice on the Flat in 2000 and showed promise in novice hurdles back in 2002. However, the downside is that he has not raced for 454 days. All Honey won a two-mile seller for amateurs here in May and has performed creditably from higher marks than today's in the past. She might sneak a place but Water Sports, a winner on the Flat in France, showed improved form to finish third at Fontwell over two-and-a-half miles last time, despite not hurdling fluently. It would be no surprise to see her go well. Overall, though, it might just pay to stay loyal to The Sister.
