keen, mid-division, headway after 8th, led on bit and jumped right 3 out, clear next, easily
led to 3rd, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden after 8th, weakened quickly
prominent, led after 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra flat
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place approaching 3 out, kept on flat
chased leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened before next
held up and pulled hard, headway 3rd, weakened 7th
keen, chased leaders, led 3rd, headed after 8th, kept on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
behind from 4th
always behind
Nonrunner
The shortlisted three are Astyanax, She's Our Native and Miss Shakira, with the vote going to Astyanax. Astyanax won quite well by three-quarters-of-a-length from Teorban over course and distance in December and, on three pounds worse terms, is taken to confirm the form, although the latter is respected. The selection is also 16 pounds better off for the six lengths that She's Our Native beat him last time. The latter clearly remains in good heart, but the weight swing looks to favour Astyanax. Miss Shakira could be interesting as this lightly-raced dual chase winner is conceivably well-weighted back over hurdles, while Smart Mover has certainly shown novice promise but was disappointing last time out. Of the others, Pearly Star has also shown some promise in a light career, and he now makes his handicap debut. The others appear to need some improvement which, in return, returns us to the selection, which is Astyanax.
She's Our Native (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Held up, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft beating Magical Legend (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Astyanax (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Led, ridden 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 6l behind She's Our Native (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Mokum (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 23l behind Oso Magic (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Teorban (POL) 15-2 (10-13) In touch, ridden and headway after 3 out, no further impression, 4th of 9, 17l behind He's A Leader (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Miss Shakira (IRE) 5-6fav (10-9) Made all, clear when blundered 2 out, easily, won at Leicester 2m mrs nov chs (E) gf in Nov beating Cansalrun (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Barathea Blue 10-1 (11-9) Held up behind, some headway approaching 7th, soon weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Sandmartin (10-11) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs, 14 ran.
Salopian 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 8th, one pace from next, 4th of 11, 21l behind She's Our Native (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Pearly Star 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, hampered and not recover, 6th of 15, 10l behind Shaka's Pearl (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Red Lion (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, 21l behind North Lodge (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f amt hcp hdl (F) gd in Nov.
Amanpuri (GER) 16-1 (10-9) Made most, headed under pressure approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last, 6th of 12, 12l behind Silistra (10-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Memories of Gold (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 8th, soon behind pulled up at the 10th in race won by He's The Gaffer (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Deliceo (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Strong Magic (10-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Nov.
Smart Mover 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division until after 7th, weakened, 9th of 16, 23l behind Screenplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
