mid-divsion, struggling 4th, behind next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, weakened approaching 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 4th, went 2nd after 6th, ridden 2 out, mistake last, closed under pressure to lead flat, stayed on
towards rear, ridden 4th, behind when mistake 6th, tailed off
mid-divsion, headway when not fluent 4th, ridden and weakening when jumped right 6th, tailed off
led until 2nd, chased leader until 5th, soon weakened, pulled up after 6th
mid-divsion, headway after 2nd, went 2nd 5th until after next, 3rd and beaten when bad mistake last
prominent, led 2nd, ridden 2 out, mistake last, headed flat, no extra
held up in rear, headway approaching 4th, jumped slowly next, weakened after 6th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, went 4th approaching 2 out, no impresison, mistake last
held up towards rear on outside, headway approaching 4th, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch early, mid-division, headway before 4th, jumped slowly next, weakened approaching 2out, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, never in contention after
The last two renewals of this race have gone to the favourite and, with a lack of credible opposition, EMPRESS ORCHID may be able to enhance that record. Donald McCain has described his mare as a 'big, strong type' who should be able to win one of these and he's found a very weak race for her return to the track. Placed in two bumpers, she travelled well on her way to third in over 2m6f on her hurdling debut, a performance which suggested she'd win something over this trip. Chief opponent may be Miss Abbey, a bumper winner on her debut who toiled on soft ground thereafter, before returning to form at Ayr without threatening the winner. Her dam is a full-sister to Grey Abbey, a decent performer over timber, and she should be capable of running well. Along Came Rosie ran better than her odds implied in a better race at Wetherby and can build on that here by finishing third ahead of Tchikita and the Irish raider Catleen, both of whom need to improve.
Airey Scarey 8-1 (11-12) in a race won by Hold On Julio (12-5) at Hexham 2m 4f ptp gs in May, 10 ran.
Almond Court (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 19l behind Sparkling Zola (10-8) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Along Came Rosie 66-1 (10-4) Held up in mid-division, headway when stumbled soon after 3 out, beaten next, 6th of 18, 22l behind Andhaar (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Bach Street Girl (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Behind, struggling 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Solway Sam (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Baileys Ruffit (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Sparkling Hand (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (Conditionals/Amateurs) (6) gd in Oct.
Basford Lady (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Behind, reminders after 5th, plugged on to go remote 5th approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Prescelli (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Catleen (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden in 13th 3 out, stayed on one pace in 9th 2 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 20, 10l behind Saville Row (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl.
Empress Orchid 7-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Devon Native (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun '09.
Hole In One (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 12, 42l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-4) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.
Roll Over Rose (IRE) 7-2 (10-2) Raced in last pair, went 4th approaching 9th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Sunnyside (10-5) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 6 ran.
Sported And Played (IRE) Saddlers' Hall mare out of Alice Freyne.
Tchikita (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, blundered 4th and 5th, 9th of 14, 41l behind Primrose Time (10-10) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Vallani (IRE) 150-1 (10-2) Chased winner, hit 1st, lost 2nd 3rd, left in lead on bend soon after, headed 6th, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 30l behind Drill Sergeant (11-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Miss Abbey 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f, 3rd of 12, 26l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-4) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.
