in rear and in touch, left 3rd 4 out, led after last, kept on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 9th, led before 3 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on and always held
tracked leaders before 4th, led after 5th, headed before 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra last
led, headed after 5th, tracked leaders, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
The Shepherd King was well beaten on his debut for new connections after arriving from Ireland, where he won three times for Tom Cooper, and his three rivals arrive in better form. Lily Little Legs was only collared close home after attempting to lead all the way over 2m5f at Wetherby and can run from the same mark. But ROXYFET gained an easy victory over fences at Sedgefield last month and returned there on Sunday to complete a double over hurdles. He's 9lb higher than his first victory but escapes a penalty for Sunday's success and looks progressive enough to complete a hat-trick. My Friend George will ensure he doesn't have things his own way as he has been in excellent form with two victories at Sedgefield since Boxing Day and a very good run over a trip too short here earlier this month.
Roxyfet (FR) 3-1jfav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Copt Hill (10-6) by 5l, 7 ran.
My Friend George 4-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, effort and chance 3 out, chased winner next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Ubaltique (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led before 1st, soon clear with one other, headed narrowly 6th, not fluent next, weakened 2 out, 8th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Trust Thomas (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Lily Little Legs (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Suzy's Music (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
