tracked leading pair, mistake 2 out, soon went 2nd, beaten between last 2
mistake 1st, in touch, ridden and struggling before 3 out, tailed off
in touch, hit 2nd, stuggling 4th, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
led to 2nd, pressed winner until blundered badly 3 out, weakened soon after next
chased leaders in 4th, mistake and reminders 3rd, no impression after 2 out, went poor 3rd before last
made most from 2nd, drew well clear between last 2, unchallenged after
not fluent in rear, mistake and struggling 4th, tailed off
held up well in rear, headway to track leading quartet soon after 2 out, soon weakened and eased, pulled up before last
Sir Jimmy Shand gets the call here ahead of Eurocomach, King Louis and Reve En Bleu. Sir Jimmy Shand is well regarded, won two bumpers last season and is likely to be a warm order on his hurdling debut. Buckland Gold's second over course and distance last time rates in the low 90s, which is not exceptional. Eurocomach showed promise in two Irish runs and is one to consider; he is now with David Pipe. Karinga Kream is another to have shown promise, as has King Louis, whose form is pretty solid, in fact, particularly in the context of this race. Reve En Bleu has to be considered from the Paul Nicholls yard, and Round The Horn looked very promising when winning his bumper back in 2005 and, although lightly raced since, obviously possesses talent. It all adds up to an interesting contest, in which Sir Jimmy Shand is the selection.
Buckland Gold (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to lead before last, headed near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Sobers (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Eurocomach (IRE) 4-5fav (11-13) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, kept on under pressure, no extra final furlong, 5th of 17, 8l behind The Hurler (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f nhf gf in Jul.
Karinga Kream 16-1 (10-11) Prominent, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 12l behind Kicks For Free (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
King Louis (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 6th to 3 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nightfly (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.
Reve En Bleu (FR) (11-7) Prominent, led 4 out, stayed on well, won at Dundrum 3m ire ptp hvy in Mar beating Father Murty (11-7) by 6l, 17 ran.
Sir Jimmy Shand (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, 18th of 22, well behind Pangbourne (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
St George's Day 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 19, 27l behind Spear Thistle (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Suntini (GER) Platini gelding, half-brother to two flat winners in Germany.
Round The Horn (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Always behind, 14th of 22, well behind Pangbourne (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
