chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th, pushed along before 2 out, led last, drew clear final 150 yards, stayed on well
held up, closed 8th, shaken up after 3 out, ridden and no impression on front pair before last, no extra
led, not fluent 12th, 4 out or 3 out, headed last, well held by winner inside final 150 yards
chased leader until after 7th, not fluent 9th, dropped to last before 11th, soon well beaten, went 4th after final bend
chased leaders, lost ground 3rd, not fluent and reminders 7th, went 4th but outpaced before 11th, well beaten from next, lost 4th after final bend
A cracking renewal of this mares’ Listed race which is usually run at Huntingdon. HAPPY DIVA won it in 2019 having finished second 12 months earlier. She wasn’t quite at her best when failing to land the odds at Carlisle in November but a rest since should have recharged the batteries she is still rated higher than younger rivals. Momella is on a roll and Destinee Royale remains unexposed and was very well backed on her reappearance at Sandown only to take off to soon at an open ditch and unseat her rider. Annie Mc won one of these at Doncaster by a wide margin but probably handled the ground better than her rivals. Zambella is unbeaten over fences and was a winner over course and distance on her penultimate start so there should be more to come.
Annie Mc (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 5th, close up 12th, led 4 out, drew clear before 2 out, well in command last, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Dec beating Cut The Mustard (11-2) by 16l, 7 ran.
Happy Diva (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Led narrowly, jumped well, weakened and headed after last, lost 2nd final 110 yards, one pace, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind My Old Gold (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Zambella (FR) 8-13fav (11-4) Chased clear leaders, blundered 6th, headway when not fluent 3 out, disputed lead approaching last, soon led outright, went left flat, ran on well, won at Leicester 2m lst (1) sft in Jan beating Cut The Mustard (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Destinee Royale (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leader, led 4th, blundered and unseated rider 6th, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Momella (IRE) 7-4jfav (11-5) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 5th, led next, hard pressed from 3 out until last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec beating Cill Anna (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
