led, headed 10th, chased leaders when mistake 13th and next, soon lost place, behind when blundered 4 out
in touch, led 10th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
tracked leader to 10th, outpaced 15th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, lost place 15th, soon behind
held up, reminders 12th, headway when hit 15th, ridden and stayed on to 2nd before last, no impression with winner
held up in rear, headway to track leader 13th, led 2 out, soon driven, kept on flat
Shannon's Pride has disappointed in his last two starts but holds solid claims on previous form over fences and is taken to resume winning ways at the main expense of Kidithou and Isellido. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of her rivals over fences having fallen early on at Wetherby last week on her chasing debut. Richard Guest's mare had shown enough over hurdles previously to suggest that she would have claims in this company and she cannot be discounted readily. Len Lungo's Jolika probably did not beat a great deal when scoring at Ayr last month and is probably best passed over, while Now Then Sid needs to improve to trouble the judge. Ayr winner Kidithou was a faller at the same venue earlier this month and has claims if his jumping holds up but preference is for the Nicky Richards-trained Shannon's Pride, who has not been disgraced in better company of late and looks the one to beat on earlier form.
Kidithou (FR) 14-1 With leader, led after 8th, headed and fell at the 10th in race won by Joaaci at Ayr 3m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd, 6 ran.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 5-2 Led to 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, well behind Hidden Bounty at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (D) sft.
Blue Jar 40-1 Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Ravenscar at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (F) gf, 14 ran.
Now Then Sid 20-1 Always towards rear, weakened from 11th, 5th of 12, 28l behind Benefit at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Isellido (IRE) 5-1 Jumped right throughout, held up and behind when fell at the 10th in race won by Bob Ar Aghaidh at Wetherby 2m 7f beg chs (E) gd, 11 ran.