in touch, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on strongly to lead after last, all out
held up towards rear, weakened 4 out
took keen hod tracking leaders, every chance 3 out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, stuggling when mistake 5th, never a factor
in touch, chased leaders 4 out, hard driven next, weakened before last
tracked leader, keen early, weakened before 4 out, soon eased, pulled up before next
led mistake 6th, strongly challenged from 3 out, headed after last, no extra
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasinbg leaders, never on terms
Some interesting types clash headed by Spirit Of Shankly. However, he may have too much on his plate conceding weight all round to a host of promising types and the Charlie Longsdon winning machine has inevitably slowed down of late. Classic Move looks just the sort to make a useful novice for the McCain team whilst Up The Ante has a notable absence to overcome since landing an Irish point-to-point in some style. Varom never quite looked like getting to Gone Too Far at Wetherby on his reappearance but he should come on plenty for that outing. The vote goes to URBAN HYMN though who really impressed when never out of second gear in a Huntingdon bumper. Malcolm Jefferson's charge looks just the type to do well over timber and must be noted for the future whatever his fate here on his hurdling debut.
Spirit Of Shankly 9-4fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, (normal 5 out), went 2nd after home turn, ridden 2f out, edged left over 1f out, unable to challenge, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Royal Regatta (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Agesilas (FR) 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Three Kingdoms (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Classic Move (IRE) 8-13fav (11-2) Made all, ran wide on paddock bend, clear from 3f out, ran on strongly, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gs in Oct beating Serenity Now (11-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
Rafafie 50-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair in touch, headway 4f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gs in Apr beating Rolling Maul (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Straidnahanna (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Disputed lead with winner until before 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 10, 31l behind Oscar Rock (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Unknown Legend (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led and keen, headed after 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Rally (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Up The Ante 5-1 (12-0) Ld, 3l adv 7th, hdd bef 2out, fought back bef last & so to ld 50 yards out, won at Kildorrery 3m ire ptp in Feb beating Double Irish (12-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Urban Hymn (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Made all, driven clear over 2f out, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs beating Mr Cardle (10-11) by 7l, 11 ran.
Varom (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, steadied 2nd, not fluent next, closed before 3 out, driven into 2nd after last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Gone Too Far (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
