mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, mistake 2nd, challenge 7th, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders to 4th, soon behind, no danger after
behind, struggling 5th, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 5th unbeaten and mistake last
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway on outside 3 out, outpaced next, weakened last
mid-division and outside, lost place 7th, soon behind
jumped left 1st, behind, headway into mid-division when blundered 6th, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
led, joined 7th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind, no danger after
in touch, headway 3 out, joined leader going well approaching next, led between last 2, 6 lengths clear last, stayed on well, eased towards finish
hampered 1st, behind until stayed on approaching last, never nearer
Big Shuffle is an interesting recruit to fences however NORMANDY LANDINGS looks bred for this game and he gets the vote ahead of Bid Art and Star Galaxy. The booking of Felix De Giles for the selection looks a good move and although the gelding has been beaten a total of 287 lengths in four runs to date, this means that he starts life off with a handicap mark of 91 which could be workable. He is a half-brother to Maori Legend and Winsley Hill and better is expected on this chasing debut. Daring Racer ran well behind Isintshelovely at Huntingdon last time out, whilst Midnight Diamond would be a player judged on his third at Leicester in March. Tytheknot needs watching in the betting on this first run for 694 days, New Rackheath has been woeful in two starts since a summer break, whilst Cote D'Argent fell over fences when last trying them in March at Carlisle. Bid Art seems to be getting the hang of things over fences and cannot be ignored after a good run last time out, whilst Intense Suspense has shaped recently as if this trip is an inadequate test. Star Galaxy and Bob's Temptation look well-handicapped, however in a weak race we are happy to chance Normandy Landings.
Daring Racer (GER) 9-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, ridden and no headway approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Isintshelovely (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Normandy Landings 150-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, under pressure after 3 out, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 25l behind Pepe Simo (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 35l behind Best Of The Lot (11-7) at Southwell 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May.
Tytheknot 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders to 7th, hit 3 out, 12th of 18, well behind Big Rob (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec '07.
Rince Donn (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, stumbled badly and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by One of The Boys (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 7 ran.
New Rackheath (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, jumped left 3rd, weakened after 9th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Zorro De La Vega (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Cote d'Argent 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, led approaching 4th, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 32l behind Ishismart (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Fair Shake (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, weakened last, 5th of 11, 12l behind Bundle Up (10-0) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) sft.
Form And Beauty (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, fell 1st, in a race won by Flashy Conquest (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Bid Art (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Led, headed bend approaching 3 out, left in lead and hampered 3 out, soon headed, left in lead again last, headed flat, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Flashy Conquest (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Intense Suspense (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Jumped right, raced keenly, led and clear to 4 out, ridden and headed after next, weakening when mistake 2 out, last of 8, 38l behind Red Jester (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Star Galaxy (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led 4 out, headed last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Nawow (11-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Bob's Temptation 20-1 (10-0) In rear, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 30l behind Ross Leader (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f Am hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.