mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, behind when mistake and fell last
led 2nd, made rest, ridden and ran on flat
mid-division, headway 4 out, went 3rd next, blundered 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch when unseated rider 4th
behind, slow 1st, reminders soon after, pulled up 5th
mid-division, ridden and lost place 4 out
towards rear, headway when jumped left 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
chased leaders, chased winner 4th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace
led 1st, chased winner until 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
Shanahan is selected ahead of Zorro De La vega and Toastmaster. The last named, being the mount of Tony McCoy, will no doubt attract the interest of the betting market. However, his three previous starts over hurdles have been modest and he needs to show a vast amount of improvement to figure. Zorro De La Vega is an interesting type that the Pipe dynasty have traditionally done well with over the years. He has time on his side and is one to keep on the right side whatever occurs this afternoon. However, Shanahan makes a touch more appeal for the time being. His presence in the field ensure the bottom four on the racecard have to race from out of the handicap and he will rarely get a better opportunity to prove that he has adapted to the British way of jumps racing. Significant rainfall would dampen the confidence but Shanahan is getting better with each run and can finally attain that ellusive first win for his present connections if all goes to paln for him today.
Shanahan (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 8th, no chance from 4 out, 4th of 8, 20l behind Livingonaknifedge (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Mibleu (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, weakened after last, 4th of 7, 11l behind Arumun (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, headway after 4 out, chasing winner but held when blundered 2 out, no chance after, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Silver Inngot (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
King Diamond (FR) 17-2 (11-1) In touch, ridden 7th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 9, 34l behind Silver Inngot (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Toastmaster (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, reminders halfway, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 20l behind Just Amazing (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Starofthemorning (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Held up, mistake 2nd, outpaced 5 out, 4th of 6, 39l behind Methodical (11-0) at Leicester 2m mrs nov chs (4) gf.
Silvo (NZ) 13-2 (10-4) Chased winner 2nd until 10th, ridden and weakened between last 2, last of 4, 9l behind Beau Torero (11-9) at Fakenham 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
The Sneakster (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked winner, upsides winner when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Methodical (11-0) at Leicester 2m mrs nov chs (4) gf, 6 ran.
Guns of Love (IRE) 150-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, not fluent 6th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, 43l behind Albertas Run (11-3) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Clockers Corner (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Led to 3rd, led 9th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out, 6th of 8, 27l behind Jacarado (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
