chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 5th, soon ridden, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, effort 5th, no further progress
held up, some headway 4th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, behind from 4th, tailed off 5th
chased leader until after 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, behind from 4th, tailed off 5th, blundered badly last, pulled up, flat
held up, mistake 3rd, effort 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 3rd and weakening when mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well
Venetia Williams won this race last year and is taken to do so again, this time with Back On Line although in an open contest, Arisea and Valley Hall look like obvious dangers. The selection finished second on his hurdling debut at Lingfield over a longer trip on similar ground, and with the drop in trip expected to suit, she must have leading claims. Paul O'Neill is good value for his 3lb claim and although it looks apparent that she will be seen to best effect over the bigger obstacles, she could be strong enough to take this. Arisea is the only winner in the line-up and could be a danger receiving weight from the whole field. However that win was only in a selling contest and she would have to improve to trouble the judge today. Valley Hall didn't show her true running last time when pulled-up, however a reproduction of her hurdling debut would give her major claims. Les Baux Belle makes her hurdling debut today after one good bumper run and one poor one, so she could feasibly get involved although she may just benefit from today's experience. Mrs O' Malley weakened late on last time out, however the drop back in trip today looks ideal and with the stable in form, she certainly has place claims at least, however we will return to Back On Line to take this open contest.
Back On Line (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Made most until headed approaching 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Saratogane (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Four Candles 200-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 5 out, soon lost place, 11th of 13, well behind Rebel Rhythm (11-13) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb '05.
Judy The Drinker 40-1 (10-7) Mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Glimmer of Light (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Les Baux Belle (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up, chased leaders halfway, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 16, 44l behind Skippers Brig (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Lola's Kiss 50-1 (10-7) Chased winner, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 21l behind Dandygrey Russett (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Mrs O'Malley 10-1 (10-9) Chased leader, led 4th to 6th, mistake 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Tambourine Davis (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Somewhere My Love 25-1 (10-11) Not fluent, in touch, ridden after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 14, 45l behind Pedler's Profiles (10-9) at Worcester 2m sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Sudden Impulse 4-1jt-fav (9-3) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 12, 10l behind Virginia Rose (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Nov (Flat).
Valley Hall (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Gaspara (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Arisea (IRE) 11-4 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Ever Special (10-11) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
