ran in snatches, ridden, outpaced from 15th, kept on under pressure from 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged when hit 13th, led next, going well approaching 3 out, ridden, headed flat, no extra
close up, ridden, outpaced approaching 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led flat, stayed on well
made most until headed 14th, chased leader until ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
Super Road Train, Miss Shakira and Matmata de Tendron are the principals here, with the bang in form Super Road Train taken to complete a hat-trick. Miss Shakira's two chasing successes have come over the minimum trip, but she has shaped recently as if needing more of a stamina test, staying on well in races half a mile shorter. This small field should mean a sensible pace, and Miss Shakira should have no problems seeing it out. Since scoring at Sedgefield on Boxing Day in emhatic style, Matmata de Tendron has failed to win since, and he has shot up the handicap. His current mark appears unjustified at the moment, though he should strip fitter, having had his first run for nine months recently. Wins at Carlisle and Wetherby, justifying favouritism on both occasions, have confirmed Super Road Train's wellbeing, and he is only nine pounds higher than when routing his field at the Yorkshire track, where his victims included Matmata de Tendron. Super Road Train can derail his rivals here.
Super Road Train 6-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place 13th, headway 5 out, led 3 out, kept on well from next, won at Wetherby 3m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov beating Farington Lodge (10-6) by 14l, 6 ran.
Miss Shakira (IRE) 9-4fav (10-4) Not fluent and behind, headway 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Chef de Cour (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Led and jumped left, headed 11th, every chance 5 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 33l behind Super Road Train (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 43l behind Captain Aubrey (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Dads Lad (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Prominent when blundered and unseated rider in race won by Captain Aubrey (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 15 ran.
