held up towards rear, headway 10th to chase leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied to chase winner near finish, no chance
held up in touch, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out until no extra towards finish
tracked leader, led 9th, made rest, clear 3 out comfortably,
mistakes, soon towards rear, lost touch halfway
chased leaders, pushed along 5 out, headway and every chance after 4 out, no extra 2 out
behind, tailed halfway, pulled up before 3 out
led to 9th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, blundered badly 7th, 6th and outpaced when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
Shannon's Pride, Silver Dagger and Lampion du Bost are the three to focus on here and the vote is given to Shannon's Pride. The selection showed improved form to finish second behind Arumun last time out. He is a 10-year-old now and although he has failed to live up to the potential that he once showed he is clearly in good heart right now and might just be up to taking this. Silver Dagger has been very disappointing on his last few starts and the likelihood is that he will need some further respite from the handicapper before he is able to resume winning ways. Lampion du Bost was returning from a break when finishing a fair fourth behind Hawk's Landing at Carlisle. There should be more to come and with ground conditions to suit he should go well. The Miner will be suited by the cut in the ground and might be capable of taking some place money, but Shannon's Pride hinted that his turn might not be far away with an encouraging effort last time and he gets the vote.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 18-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, pushed along 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Hawk's Landing (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Posh Stick 9-1 (11-5) Soon towards rear, outpaced 11th, ridden and headway after 2 out, weakened last, 9th of 12, 21l behind Contract Scotland (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) With leader, outpaced 9th, chased clear pair 5 out, left 2nd approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Arumun (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Silver Dagger 7-2 (10-12) Chased leader, outpaced approaching 9th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, 23l behind Fill The Bunker (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
The Miner 22-1 (10-0) Mid-division, outpaced 10th, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, 5th of 12, 12l behind Contract Scotland (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Glenfarclas Boy (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Behind, headway 13th, mistake 14th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 12, 20l behind Frosty Jak (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Oct.
Red Minster 12-1 (11-5) Led to 13th, tracked leader, left in lead again 15th, headed 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Shulmin (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Oct.
Pavey Ark (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, reminders approaching 7th, headway approaching 9th, blundered last, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 22l behind Silver Dagger (9-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in May.