An interesting race where I'm keen to look at Mares who have shown good form at this time of the year and who may not necessarily have been over-raced during the winter. The qualification process for the Final doesn't require a massive effort to get here and it's probable that a few are primed off the back of what may look like poor form. On the flip side Mares can hit golden spells of form but are less likely to sustain absolute consistency. An intriguing puzzle which I approach with more confidence after a nice winner yesterday.

 

At the top of the market Windtothelightning and Dollar Bae are now significantly penalised for some excellent form as is Lone Star. It is good solid form all of these have but I just feel this is a race to look for something less exposed.

 

SASHENKA put up an improved performance last time and a 4 lbs penalty does not look excessive, she arrives as a Mare that looks to be coming to pak at just the right time. The powerful Skelton and Nicholls yards are represented by Morada who has returned to racing having been retired to stud, she hasn't yet pulled up any trees on her return but like Grivetana for Nicholls who is upped in trip and who needs that to spark her, cannot be ignored simply because of the stables they represent.

 

PRESENTING A QUEEN could be well handicapped now and really caught my eye in terms of form and this race and together with SASHENKA, she looks the most likely to deliver at a nice price.

 

Well Vicky is in the Tracker but i think over-penalised at the moment but both MERRY POPPINS @ 16/1  who has excess stamina that many of these don't have and who may benefit of the pace is too frantic on drying ground and LIME DROP @ 28/1 , whose mark went from 81 to 115 last season and who has been quiet this season but upped in trip,are also in the TRACKER and well worth a small e/w investment at big odds as a result. One other intrigues me for a small side e/w bet and that is COULD BE TROUBLE who is around 50/1 currently but I'm less concerned about the current form and more interested in the fact that this horse always seem to reserve her best for March and April, is 10lbs below here last win mark and who might just be a very dark horse to follow here.