tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, clear before last, in no danger when ridden flat, eased towards finish, comfortably
led, headed 2 out, soon ridden and no impression with winner, weakened flat
mid-division, driven to chase leaders before 2 out, never going pace to get on terms, weakened between last 2
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, soon struggling, tailed off 2 out
held up behind, driven before 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, ridden out flat, no chance with easy winner
tracked front pair, outpaced before 2 out, never on terms, weakened between last 2
held up mainly in 4th, chased front pair before 2 out, kept on same pace, never able to challenge
Liva is back in the right grade after running against useful juveniles at Ascot and makes more appeal than Staged Engagement. Pagero is an interesting runner as he’s had just the two starts over hurdles, both at Grade 2 level. He should up to winning an ordinary novice hurdle but the former Gordon Elliott-trained WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF landed the odds on his first run for new connections at Sedgefield and has the pace to cope with this drop in trip.
Whoshotthesheriff (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) won at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Mar beating Enfin Phil (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Liva (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) 14th of 15, 30l behind Legal History (10-4) at Ascot 2m hcp fll (2) gd in Mar.
Elixer (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) 8th of 12, dist behind Elvis Mail (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f (4) gs in Apr.
Forbidding (USA) 3-1fav (9-12) 12th of 14, 26 1/2l behind St Andrews (9-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Staged Engagement (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) 4th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Henry Smith (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Namazee (USA) 25-1 (10-8) 6th of 12, 36l behind Elvis Mail (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f (4) gs in Apr.
Pagero (FR) 22-1 (10-12) 11th of 12, dist behind Fusil Raffles (10-12) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
