not fluent, in rear, ridden 5th, behind from 2 out
keen led, ridden and headed between 3 out and 2 out, blundered 2 out, unseated rider last
in touch in rear, headway 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on
tracked leader, hit 2nd and 4th, ridden next, weakened before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led between 3 out and 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on one pace
SPIRIT OF SHANKLY hasn't run since November but Charlie Longsdon's stable has started to show signs of life again lately and the five-year-old's form, particularly his close third in a Listed race at Kempton in October, is head and shoulders above that of his rivals here. Benefit Cut failed to build on his second at Leicester in November but there should be more to come from Bangor second Gee Hi while Separate Shadows was placed in a couple of bumpers last year. Yes Daddy ran in the Grade 2 Aintree bumper last spring and should strip fitter for his reappearance.
Best Excuse 80-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, left 3rd and swerved to avoid faller 6th, mistake and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 43l behind Golden Hoof (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
Crackerjack 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, kept on well, 4th of 13, 27l behind Oscar Hoof (11-5) at Ludlow 1m 6f NH flat (5) sft in Jan.
Gee Hi (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, left 2nd and swerved to avoid faller 6th, no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Golden Hoof (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
Lord Navits (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Led to 2nd, lost place before 5th, soon pushed along and weakened, 10th of 11, 48l behind Minella Forfitness (11-8) at Doncaster 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gd in Feb.
Spirit Of Shankly 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2nd until after 6th, led 3 out, went left after 2 out, headed before last, unable to quicken flat, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Karazhan (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Benefit Cut (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 33l behind Minella Forfitness (11-8) at Doncaster 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gd in Feb.
Separate Shadows (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 17, 18l behind Southfield Theatre (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gs in Oct.
Yes Daddy (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Spitz (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
