always behind
chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, driven along from 6th, weakened 9th
chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, weakened after 3 out
held up, smooth progress from 8th, tracked leaders next, led 2 out, ridden and headed final 100 yards, not pace of winner
always towards rear
in touch, led 7th until 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
led until 7th, prominent, ridden after 9th, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, not fluent next, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, good headway after 3 out, challenged next, ran on strongly to lead final 100 yards, ridden out
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out
Norton Sapphire is the pick over Pyleigh Lady, Rockys Girl and Needle Prick. Norton Sapphire failed to win on the Flat, but since going hurdling has been on the upgrade, since August at least. She has though gone up around 30lb in the ratings as a result of her progressive profile, and it will not be too long surely before Victor Dartnell puts the mare over fences. However, she looks good for another success or two over timber, and this is an amateur riders' affair anyway, so if victorious will not receive a penalty. She has bags of stamina and goes on the ground so is the one to beat. Pyleigh Lady was having only her second outing of the current campaign when chasing home Clock House at Wetherby and has a bit of scope, but Rockys Girl is a maiden after 29 lifetime starts which says it all about her chances. Needle Prick is only slightly better than selling-class, but did shape well behind Radnor Lad at Hereford just before Christmas, so has place claims of a sort, but we have no hesitation in nominating Norton Sapphire as the answer.
Visibility (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Led, ridden, headed after 4th, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 36l behind Master Mahogany (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Dancer Life (POL) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 17, well behind Schuh Shine (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Ice Crystal 40-1 (12-7) Prom til rdn & wknd 10; t.o, 5th of 12, well behind Moonoki (12-0) at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd in May.
Whitford Don (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened 6th, 12th of 17, well behind The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Pyleigh Lady 5-1 (10-13) Blundered 1st, mid-division, headway 4th, chased winner approaching last, driven and held last, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Clock House (10-5) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division until 5th, gradually lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 11 ran.
Norton Sapphire 7-2jt-fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Ikemba (10-7) by 6l, 12 ran.
Needle Prick (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 6th, led briefly again before 10th, still every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 11l behind Radnor Lad (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Festival Flyer 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened next, 12th of 18, 35l behind Parkinson (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Rockys Girl 9-2 (11-4) Behind, headway approaching 5th, ridden and carried wide approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Milton Des Bieffes (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Ashgan (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader until after 4th, weakened 5th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Lesdream (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) hvy.
Oktis Morilious (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 32l behind Little Rort (11-7) at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
