prominent, tracked leader from 2nd, led before 11th, drew clear after 3 out, easily
led until 2nd, chased leaders until approaching 10th, tailed off
prominent, led 2nd until before 11th, soon relegated to 3rd, mistake and beaten 3 out
held up, went 3rd before 9th, chased winner 11th, no chance after 3 out
not fluent, always behind, tailed off before 11th, pulled up after
There should be little to choose here between Tot Of The Knar and CALUSA CRYSTAL and the latter gets the verdict, while Daraz Rose looks the best of the rest. The selection is officially rated 4lbs superior to Peter Bowen's charge, and ran with some credit in a couple of novices' contests earlier in the campaign before breaking her duck over fences at Huntingdon in December. Switched back to hurdles last time, she struggled from a mark of 130 in handicap company, but now reverting to chasing, and with trip and ground to suit, she is selected. Tot Of The Knar showed decent form over stamina-sapping trips when chasing last summer, but she hit a bad patch later in the year and showed few signs of emerging from that at Newbury last time. Conditions will suit, though the trip is short enough, and we will take her on. There is little else of interest in the contest given the official ratings of this lot, but one who may be capable of improvement is Daraz Rose, who has had just three runs over fences. After failing to complete twice, she ran well at Stratford last time and she could kick on from there, but she will do well to beat our pick, Calusa Crystal.
Calusa Crystal (FR) 18-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened after 3 out, soon eased, pulled up before last, in a race won by Sir Harry Ormesher (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Ringsend Rose (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) In rear, behind 5th, left poor 3rd appraoching 4 out, soon left 2nd, left alone before 3 out when bypassed fence due to stricken horse, won at Chepstow 3m mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Tot Of The Knar 40-1 (11-2) In rear when hampered 8th, well behind 3 out, 14th of 18, 46l behind Alfie Sherrin (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Daraz Rose (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, bumped 7th, headway 4 out, chased winner after next, ridden and 2 lengths down when mistake last, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Darn Hot (10-4) at Stratford 2m 7f Mares Handicap Chase (0-125) (5yo+) (3) gd.
Western Pride 150-1 (10-2) In rear, pushed along 10th, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 7, 50l behind Awesome George (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f nov stks (3) sft.
Penny Queen 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 35l behind Cat Six (9-11) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hcp hdl (0-95) (5) gs.
