mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, led soon after last, ran on well flat
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, rallied and every chance last, no extra flat
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
tailed off in mid-division, good headway and chased leaders 3 out, not quicken from 2 out
pulled hard and held up last, headway 5th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, ran on same pace from 2 out
prominent, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden and headed after last, rallied flat but not reached winner
mid-division, ridden 6th, kept on one pace from 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, every chance last, kept on well flat
held up towards rear, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden 6th, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon behind
mid-division, some headway after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Shaman is versatile enough to cope with the ground and is fancied to make a bold bid to follow up his Plumpton success from a fortnight ago. Don't Ask Me, Hail The King and Lucky Do head the shortlist of alternatives. Lucky Do goes well at this time of year and gave a solid indication he was on the way back with a good effort at Newton Abbot last time out. He does reserve his best for that course, but should cope with the demands of Fontwell's hurdles track. He is worth noting in the betting for each-way support. Hail The King has bits and pieces of good form to his name and comes here on the back of a fair performance at Wincanton last month. However, he is not the most consistent of characters and has it to do from the top of the weights. Don't Ask Me bolted up in a seller at Uttoxeter two weeks ago and has to be respected. He was raised 10lb for that effort, so obviously has a touch more on his plate. The drop in trip is a concern for him and it may be best to judge the confidence of the betting ring before getting heavily involved with him today. This course and distance pose no such problems for Shaman, though, and this consistent gelding has more ticks in the right boxes on this occasion. Phillip Hide got a good tune out of him last time and it would seem harsh to desert the winning combination on the evidence available.
Hail The King (USA) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, good headway to chase leaders 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance approaching last, hard ridden flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Avesomeofthat (11-0) at Wincanton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Smokey Mountain (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Led and soon clear, ridden and headway after 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 18l behind Ameeq (10-8) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Lucky Do (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd and hit 2 out, no chance with winner when went left last, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Random Quest (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, eased close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd beating Kingscourt Lad (11-0) by 8l, 16 ran.
The Chequered Lady 15-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, stayed on after 3 out, went moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Song of Vala (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Shaman 3-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, effort after 3 out, challenging when not much room 2 out and last, led flat, pushed out, won at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gf beating Meltonian (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ressource (FR) 8-1 (10-5) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, hung left and no impression flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Canni Thinkaar (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Ressource (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
