shade keen, led, pushed along and headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, soon no extra, weakened into 4th run-in
tracked leader, led 3 out, joined when ran green jinked right approaching the last where mistake, stayed on to assert final 100 yards
raced wide, tracked leading pair, hit 3rd, dropped to 4th next, outpaced 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in
took keen hold, held up in 4th place, tracked leading pair 3rd, switched left and went 2nd 2 out, every chance last, edged left under pressure run-in, no extra final 100 yards
The bare form of Shannon Hill’s victory at Stratford may not amount to much but he did it easily and that was his debut under Rules. SAMARQUAND was all out to land a bumper at Wincanton in April but the second ran well in a competitive novice event at Newbury last week and the fourth won over hurdles at Kempton on Monday so the form has a solid look about it. He makes more appeal than fellow bumper winner Geordie B and the mare Annie Bonny, who was staying on at Ffos Las and will certainly improve for the step up in trip.
Shannon Hill 1-3fav (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, jumped big 1st, pecked slightly 5th, soon led, clear last, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Rambling Rector (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Samarquand 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 2f out, challenged final furlong, stayed on to lead close home, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Apr beating Bold Plan (10-12) by nk, 12 ran.
Annie Bonny 10-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth progress after 5th, beaten last, 5th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Our Dot's Baby (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Burn Baby Byrne 7-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, never pace to get on terms, mistake last, edged left flat, well held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Pique Rock (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Geordie B 7-2 (11-0) Made virtually all, joined over 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, won at Hereford 2m (5) hvy in Apr beating Little Rory Mac (10-8) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
