held up in rear, hampered by faller 1st, some headway before 10th where not fluent, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 12th, soon ridden and outpaced, tailed off approaching last
midfield in touch, not fluent 9th, briefly ridden and dropped to rear before 10th, outpaced and driven before 3 out, tailed off approaching last
led, disputed lead 10th, pushed along before 2 out, level approaching last, sustained duel run-in, just held on
in touch with leaders, mistake and fell 1st
chased leader, disputed lead 10th, travelling well 2 out, level approaching last, soon ridden and sustained duel run-in, just denied
midfield in touch, 2 lengths down 2 out, soon pushed along, 4 lengths down approaching last, weakened run-in
This is a very competitive opener. Half Shot has won a hurdle and placed twice further over fences since beating two subsequent winners on his chasing bow at Sedgefield. Castle Rushen has been let down by his jumping but showed what he was capable of at Newcastle in January. Sholokjack bounced back from a fall at Uttoxeter to win at Lingfield but HIGH MOON is better than he showed at Haydock last time and might offer a bit of value off bottom weight. A winner here in December, Bill Baxter was still travelling when falling at Hereford latest while Gaillimh A Stor gives the impression he’ll have plenty to offer over fences as he gains experience and he had no chance from out of the handicap at Ayr last time.
Sholokjack (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) In rear, going well home turn, tracking leader 3 out, upsides last, bounded clear flat under hands and heels, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Enzo D'Airy (11-11) by 12l, 4 ran.
Miah Grace 7-4fav (11-4) Chased leaders, hampered 1st, went 2nd after 9th until after 3 out, soon no extra, 4th of 5, 20 3/4l behind Fable (10-9) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Castle Rushen (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway after 13th, went 4th home turn, mistake and unseated rider 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Bill Baxter (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Held up on outside, closed 3rd, went 2nd 11th, every chance when fell 4 out, at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Gaillimh A Stor (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Last pair, pushed along briefly after 11th, closed after 13th, no impression from 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 4, 12 1/4l behind Thomas Darby (11-10) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Half Shot (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in 5th, left in 4th place 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Notlongtillmay (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
High Moon 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 5th, closer in 3rd at 7th, well held and no impression from 4 out, 3rd of 9, 31l behind Super Six (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
