tracked leader, mistake 4 out, led after 3 out, edged right flat, stayed on, clear towards finish
held up, in last pair, slow 1st, not fluent 5th, headway after 4 out, every chance after next, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, weakened flat
led, jumped well, clear 8th until 11th, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, stayed on, no impression on winner towards finish
held up, in last pair, outpaced after 3 out, no impression after, took 3rd flat
Shantou Village won a Grade 2 over hurdles here last season and was placed in another. He made short work of inferior rivals at Fontwell on his chasing bow and there should be plenty more to come. But it's a worry that he has to give 5lb to another potentially smart recruit in BROTHER TEDD. He jumped well when tackling more experienced rivals at Newton Abbot just over two weeks ago and wasn't unduly punished once the winner had flown. Qualando won the Fred Winter over hurdles here last year but has failed to add to that. Connections have been forced to tackle fences as he's still badly handicapped over the smaller obstacles. Solstice Star, Knockgraffon and Mick Thonic should all do well in the months ahead but are best watched today.
Shantou Village (IRE) 2-11fav (11-0) Mostly jumped well, tracked leader, led 3rd, left well clear 12th, reached for last, canter, won at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug beating Code Of Law (11-0) by 34l, 4 ran.
Brother Tedd 7-4 (10-8) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, jumped left 2 out, soon no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Virgilio (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct.
Mick Thonic (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Disputed early, chased leader after 1st, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 12, 21 3/4l behind Listen Dear (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f sft in Sep.
Qualando (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, never a factor, 15th of 17, 33 1/2l behind Mckinley (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Knockgraffon (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd before 6th, led after 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gs in Mar beating Muffins For Tea (11-1) by 14l, 14 ran.
Solstice Star 8-1 (11-8) Keen early, led until after 3rd, pressed leader, led again after last bend, ridden and headed last, stayed on flat, not pace of winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mister Miyagi (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr.
