held up last but in touch, ridden after 3 out, 4th and no chance when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, driven about 1 length down and looked held when blundered 2 out, soon beaten, lost moderate 2nd at last
chased leader to 3rd, ridden and lost place 5th, soon tailed off
led until 4th, chased winner, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, regained moderate 2nd last
tracked leaders, led 4th, in command and going well 2 out, soon clear, kept on strongly run-in
Just a small field but full of quality as you'd expect and the vote goes to Shatabdi who fell early on last time out, with Buster Hyvonen and Oslot looking the main dangers. Nicky Henderson's French recruit Shatabdi receives weight from the field because of her sex-allowance and should be suited by today's flat track. She has no Cheltenham entries so perhaps it is significant that connections are trying to land this contest today. She sauntered to victory on her British debut at Plumpton and then fell before the race got started last time out. If fully recovered from that incident, she may be hard to beat. Cavallini shouldn't be good enough to win this contest on his hurdling debut as he was only moderate on the flat and preferred better ground, whilst Mendo hasn't built on his fine bumper form of last year and will need to bounce back to form to feature today. Oslot was beaten at skinny odds last time out and whilst he has plenty of scope for improvement, he may prefer better ground. Buster Hyvonen had to work hard to prevail in a moderate contest last time out and he may struggle to give 7lbs to the selection on ground softer than ideal. Ultimately then Shatabdi looks the solid option and he gets the confident vote.
Buster Hyvonen (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Held up, headway 4th, joined leader 2 out, led flat, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating I'm So Lucky (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Oslot (FR) 8-13fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Money Order (10-12) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Cavallini (USA) 10-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden and lost place halfway, 10th of 14, 27l behind Halla San (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept (Flat).
Mendo 9-1 (10-12) In touch, effort after 3 out, 5th and held when hit last, 5th of 15, 19l behind Duc De Regniere (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.
Shatabdi (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, close up when fell 4 out in race won by First Feerie (10-7) at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) gs, 6 ran.
