Shaman gets weight off Indian Star and that could tilt the scales in his favour, with the Pipe pair Ilabon and Made In France not to be ruled out in a race of this nature. Gary Moore has his string in good form at present, and that augurs well for the chance of Shaman who bids to step up on his recent second to Misbehaviour at Huntingdon in what was a stronger race than this. He stayed on well and will have no trouble handling the ground. He gained his first ever win on the Flat here as a two-year-old, and his last success came off a mark of 100 so there is no doubting the fact that he is well treated. In receipt of 12lb from Indian Star here he must go close. The latter has been in good form himself, having won two out of his last three starts, but was dismounted quickly after gaining the latest of them at Fontwell in December and has been given time to recover. The market will no doubt reveal which of the Pipe challengers is fancied the most by connections, but on recent efforts it would appear that Made In France has the best credentials. However, with plenty going for him here, it is Shaman that appears to be the one to beat.
Indian Star (GER) 11-4 (11-4) Held up, took closer order 5th, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (G) gd in Dec beating Kildee Lass (10-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Ilabon (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Haile Selassie (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Made In France (FR) 4-1jt-fav (12-0) Held up, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, wandered and headed approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Benefit Fund (11-2) at Southwell 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Shaman 11-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders 2 out, soon every chance, ran on, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Misbehaviour (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Marque Deposee (FR) (10-3) 6th of 10, 10l behind Ma Liberte Cherie (10-8) at Saint-Malo 2m hdl gd in Aug '04.
Will She Spin 20-1 (10-6) Held up last, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 34l behind Kings Castle (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs in Jan.
