prominent, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, weakened and lost 2 places flat
held up and behind, ridden after 6th, tailed off approaching 3 out
tendency to jump right, mid-division, headway after 6th, close 4th when fell 3 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway after 6th, one pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat
held up in rear, no chance approaching 3 out, tailed off
with leader, led 3 out, clear when hit last, ridden out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
led to 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up and behind, took keen hold, no chance after 6th, tailed off and blundered 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened quickly approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Few of these can be seriously considered; Shavansky is the solid option and is preferred to Sendani. Sendani is sure to have his supporters given his powerful connections and he has bits and pieces of form to his name which entitle him to win this race. He can probably be forgiven his latest run as he returned lame but the fact remains that he's palpably failed to live up to expectations. The concession of 10lbs to Sendani makes the selection's life difficult if his rival turns up on his best form but he looks the likelier of the two to run his race. His form on quick ground is really solid and there should be a decent prize to be won with him. Bolodenka is decent on the Flat and support for him would be of interest with Twill and Askmeroe others to keep an eye on in the betting whilst Speed Up ran well on this track back in October and hails from an in-form yard but Shavansky appeals as the likeliest winner.
Shavansky 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly, eased near finish, won at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr beating Distiller (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Askmeroe (IRE) Rudimentary gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Cloth Fair.
Bolodenka (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway under pressure from 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 3l behind Monte Alto (8-10) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept (Flat).
Danny Zuko (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 22l behind Abstract Art (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Permanent Way (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Always towards rear, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 14, 42l behind Philatelist (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar (Flat).
Sendani (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, mistake next, not fluent last, no extra, 5th of 15, 8l behind Pagano (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Speed Up (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from next, never troubled leaders, 7th of 15, 11l behind Theatre Belle (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Twill (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up last, ridden approaching 3 out, soon no headway, last of 5, 14l behind Lester Leaps In (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '07.
Wee Ziggy 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, 12th of 14, 49l behind Spectait (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Miss Tiddlypush 50-1 (10-8) Held up, behind, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, last of 15, 49l behind Rosita Bay (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr '05.
