mid-division, lost place 4th, tailed off 6th
mid-division, lost place approaching 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
pulled hard, behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, never reached leaders
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead and mistake 2 out, all out
keen, chased leaders to 8th, soon tailed off
led to 3rd, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, switched left last, stayed on
held up, mistake 3rd, ridden and headway from 6th, no impression from 3 out
pulled hard, headway to lead 3rd, clear from next, ridden and headed 2 out, one paced last
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
If Intox 111 shows a semblance of his old form, he would be the answer, but Hamadeenah makes more appeal, with Karakum the main danger in a weak start to proceedings at the Shropshire track. Intox 111 has managed six career wins, five of them over hurdles, but it is plain to see after just two runs over fences that he will never be a chaser. However, this modest selling hurdle would be well within his grasp if he consents to put his best foot forward. That is the key to this contest though, as he is just as likely to sulk around at the back so is not a mortgage job, and is worth opposing. Karakum is rated a good 20lb below Intox 111 and is still a maiden, but has shown enough on the odd occasion to warrant a second glance in a race of this nature. The selection though is Hamadeenah who actually made a winning debut at Newmarket three years ago, but has been on the steady downward slope since. She did however beat the odds-on Pipe-trained Iorana here in March, and should not be underestimated. At the age of five, she may yet embark on a chasing career in time, but for now can pay her way at this level and gets a tentative vote in the opener.
