mid-division, chased leaders 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, soon eased
always behind
held up mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders next, led approaching last, ran on
held up mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway and not clear run after 2 out, stayed on well, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, weakened before last
led, hard-ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra
held up in rear, not fluent 5th and 6th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in touch, reminders 4th, under pressure 4 out, weakened 2 out
Giovanna probably has the best form among those to have raced previously this season but this is likely to go to one of the many newcomers in the field with PEPITE DE SOLEIL just preferred to Over Sixty. Alan King's mare showed a decent level of form in her first season over hurdles last term, winning a novices' hurdle at Southwell prior to finding just one too good in her next three starts and then finishing a highly creditable fourth in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at the festival. Disappointing on her final start she has to be strongly considered on her reappearance. With Venetia Williams beginning to find a few winners her runner, Dansimar, has to be respected but she may be a shade high in the weights. Oliver Sherwood's Argento Luna showed progressive form last term and is another to consider on her return to action along with Victor Dartnell's Caoba, who has the beating of a couple of these on running at Cheltenham in April and has run creditably on the flat since then. Speed Boat Bonnie has a nice racing weight and could be of interest for Henry Daly having won well in a novices' hurdle at Towcester when last seen in March but a better bet looks to be Pepite De Soleil. The French import has done well in limited starts for Paul Nicholls and looks to be well treated for his first start in a handicap.
Dansimar 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, hit 5th, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Quevega (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar, 21 ran.
Pepite De Soleil (FR) 15-8 (10-10) Held up, raced keenly, jumped right 1st, headway approaching 6th, every chance when jumped right 3 out, soon ridden, beaten when jumped right last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Silk Hall (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Amber Brook (IRE) 28-1 (10-1) Chased leaders until weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Mr Thriller (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct, 14 ran.
Over Sixty 8-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened and hit next, 7th of 12, 38l behind How's Business (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Gaspara (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, struggling approaching 3 out, never in contention, 9th of 15, 17l behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Argento Luna 3-1fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, some headway before 2 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 12, 43l behind How's Business (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Giovanna 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Last Flight (9-9) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Caoba 10-3 (9-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd soon after last, 3rd of 12, 5l behind How's Business (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Orbital Orchid 9-2 (10-10) Always prominent, challenged travelling strongly 3 out, led 2 out, allowed to drift to stands side rail flat, ran on well, won at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Sisella (10-7) by 5l, 12 ran.
Speed Bonnie Boat 11-8fav (10-10) Mid-division, in touch, improved 6th, lost place briefly 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, drew clear from last, ran on well, won at Towcester 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Midsummer Magic (11-3) by 11l, 12 ran.
