prominent, every chance 4 out, one pace 2 out, no extra last
refused to race
led until before 1st, pressed winner, ridden after 9th, every chance 4 out, badly hampered next, soon no impression on front pair
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, hit 7th, challenged 3 out until flat, no impression towards finish
made virtually all, went right and dived at 4 out, strongly pressed next, jumped right and very awkward 2 out, stayed on well, in command towards finish
held up in 5th, mistake 1st, ridden after 8th, not fluent and outpaced next, unable to get back on terms, mistakes 3 out and last
in rear, not always fluent, struggling from 6th, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 3 out
Oyster Shell was only beaten a length by the race-fit Nikos Extra when a beaten favourite at Wetherby last month. He was also second over this track and trip in March when LAST SHOT failed to complete. But the latter, also a course and distance winner, was still in front when unseating his rider three out that day and is better off at the weights now. He's back in the right grade today and could give these plenty to think about if allowed an easy lead. Le Bacardy may be a few pounds too high but Arkaim can race off the same mark as when winning at Market Rasen earlier this month so rates a danger. Sir Valentino still has time on his side and looks the pick of the remainder.
Le Bacardy (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Always in rear, struggling 7th, stayed on into 4th 3 out, went modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Australia Day (11-3) at Kempton 2m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Oyster Shell 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, challenged 4 out, mistake 3 out, hit last, led flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Nikos Extra (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Last Shot (FR) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place when blundered 8th, behind 4 out, hampered next, 10th of 19, 44l behind Bold Henry (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Sir Valentino (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 8th to chase leaders, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 20l behind Whispering Harry (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Arkaim 11-2 (11-10) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders, led after 5th, not fluent and headed briefly next, headed approaching 3 out, 2 lengths down in 2nd and one pace when left clear last, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Mister Wiseman (10-1) by 8l, 5 ran.
It's A Mans World 25-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, weakened from 6 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Solar Impulse (10-11) at Wetherby 2m nov hcap ch (3) gd.
Satu (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression from before 2 out, 14th of 16, well behind Jacksonslady (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Dec '12.
