held up in touch, driven and outpaced after 4 out, no impression from next
keen early, tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakening when mistake next
held up mid-division, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and kept on flat
tracked leader to 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
led, headed 3 out, rallied approaching last, ridden and no extra flat
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
behind, struggling 4 out, ridden and kept on from next, never near leaders
raced keenly, mid-division, weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, struggling 4 out, never on terms
Sherkin Island has a good conditional on board, and can beat Rossin Gold, Flaming Heck and Divex. Sherkin Island was a beaten favourite at Huntingdon when last seen in December, but it looks as though connections have found the ideal opportunity for him to bounce back and gain a fourth career victory. He is much better treated over hurdles than fences at present, and with outstanding young Irishman Jonny Farrelly able to claim 8lb off his back, Jonjo O'Neill's charge should prove hard to beat. Flaming Heck was third over fences at Perth in May and is another that can benefit from a lower mark over timber, but he has a bit to find with the selection. Rossin Gold seemed not to stay when sent off as favourite over 20 furlongs at Perth a fortnight ago, so may do slightly better here, while Divex is still a maiden but is only lightly-raced and perhaps has more to offer, but Sherkin Island has plenty going for him and should take all the beating.
Sherkin Island (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened last, 5th of 13, 15l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Dec.
Divex (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, 4th of 12, 4l behind Lethem Air (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Rossin Gold (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) In touch, went 2nd 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 24l behind Another Superman (10-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Sept.
Radar (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 4th of 8, 11l behind Jaccout (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Feb '05.
Flaming Heck 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 10, 4l behind King Of The Arctic (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Rising Tempest 25-1 (10-7) Held up, headway to lead 5th, soon clear, headed last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Delray Beach (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Needwood Spirit 12-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden 6th, weakened next, left poor 3rd approaching 2 out, no chance when refused at the last in race won by Ask The Umpire (11-10) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 17 ran.
Caymans Gift 16-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, 5 lengths down and held when fell 3 out in race won by Oscar The Boxer (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 17 ran.
