held up in touch, mistake 3rd, chased leader 3 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, ran on
led, hit 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, kept on
always prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
prominent, chased leader 7th until next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up and keen, short lived effort 7th, weakened next, tailed off
prominent to 3rd, ridden weakened 3 out
The consistent Court Shareef looks well enough weighted to gain due reward, with Second Paige and Flying Spirit paying the penalty for recent victories. Court Shareef turned into a useful stayer on the Flat last year, finishing a creditable seventh in the Ebor, and after having his attention turned to jumping, turned up at York again this August. He never looked like winning but gave his all in ninth place. He has that touch of class that will stand him in good stead at the winter game, and his three outings over timber earlier in the year will have served as vital education. Fit from a spin at Chester 11 days ago, Richard Price's eight-year-old should make a bold bid, with the extra couple of furlongs sure to be in his favour. Second Paige is rated much higher over hurdles than he was on the level, but has not beaten much, while Flying Spirit was plating class on the Flat. However, he was gutsy enough to make all and beat the odds-on Chivite at Fontwell, so appears to be the main danger to Court Shareef who gets a confident vote to open his account over hurdles.
