led after 1st, ridden before 2 out, headed and fell 2 out
led, headed after 1st, chased leader, raced wide, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along before 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression
tracked leaders, led 2 out, clear before last, ran on strongly
in rear and in touch, pushed along before 2 out, kept on and no impression
SHISHKIN (NAP) is seen as a leading contender for Cheltenham but will need to oblige here to confirm his status as a genuine Festival player. However, he could not have been more impressive than when routing his field at Newbury last month and is taken to back up that victory with a first Listed success. The step-up in trip should not prove an inconvenience. Shan Blue ran a solid race upped to Grade 2 company last time behind Mossy Fen and is respected, whilst Hang In There and Pacify - first and second at Cheltenham in November - are enjoying good seasons but both probably need to improve on efforts to date to prove good enough here.
Hang In There (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Edgy and wore hood in paddock, tracked leader until led 1st, dived next, headed 3rd, in front again 5th, headed and wakened on long run before 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Fiddlerontheroof (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Pacify 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged on long run before 2 out, outpaced turning in, ridden and edged left after last, kept on but always held in clear 2nd flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Hang In There (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Shan Blue (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-0) Led, not fluent 3rd, driven and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Mossy Fen (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Shishkin (IRE) 7-4jfav (10-12) Bit keen, chased leaders, 2nd travelling well before 6th, ridden to lead run-in, soon quickened clear, won at Newbury 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Shakem Up'arry (10-12) by 11l, 14 ran.
Up The Straight (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Keen in touch in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, weakened flat, last of 7, 22 1/2l behind Enrilo (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.