tracked leader until after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance last, held towards finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, challenged next, led last, stayed on gamely
held up in touch in 4th, closed and brought wide 3 out, ridden to challenge last, hung left flat, one pace
led, ridden after 3 out, headed last, weakened towards finish
It's hard to make a case for Dushy Lady, who is 6lb out of the handicap, but the other four in this all have some sort of chance. Wilde Ruby deservedly got her head in front at Newton Abbot nine days ago but now has a penalty, while Cresswell Bramble was raised 10lb after winning an ordinary contest at Southwell. Direct Flo is still 5lb higher than when landing a seller over 2m4f here last July so we'll take MAVALENTA to bounce back to winning ways. It may have been the heavy ground, rather than an 8lb rise in the weights, that was to blame for her modest showing at Ffos Las last time.
Mavalenta (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 14l behind Mister Hyde (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in May.
Wilde Ruby (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Raced on outside, prominent 2nd, led well before 2 out, in command when jumped right at hurdle, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating R Craig (11-7) by 5l, 9 ran.
Cresswell Bramble 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased leader before last, driven ahead final 140 yards, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd beating Moorlands Jack (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Dushy Lady (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until lost place 3rd, behind, mistake 6th, headway 9th, chased leaders 11th, mistake next, ridden 14th, disputing modest 4th 4 out, no impression when went right next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, well behind Epee Celeste (11-11) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Apr.
Direct Flo (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra flat, 5th of 14, 20l behind Southway Star (10-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
