mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd 7th, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on and every chance when mistake last, held flat
in touch, tracked leader 4th, lost place when blundered 7th, soon beaten
in touch, outpaced 7th, stayed on to go remote 3rd, no chance with leading pair
behind, reminders 5th, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, chased leaders 6th, outpaced by leading pair 3 out, weakened last
mid-division, struggling halfway, never dangerous
made all, hard pressed from 2 out, ridden last, held on well under pressure, flat
always behind
chased leader, lost place 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Barbers Shop looks a cut above the rest and is preferred over Unowatimeen and The Painkiller. The selection was a close second behind Secret Ploy at Kempton last time and a reproduction of that effort will make him hard to beat. The only concern would be his jumping as he was far from fluent last time but if he can put in a clear round today then that should be good enough to see him win. Unowatimeen is a former Irish pointer and after winning a bumper at Sedgfield he then shaped well on his hurdling debut last time but was ultimately beaten by All For Luck. That was a good effort and he should be the one to chase the seelction home. The Painkiller will relish the ground but he was bitterly disappointing last time and that effort will have to be forgiven if he is to score. Desperate Dex has ability but does not look the most reliable and for the winner we will stick with Barbers Shop.
Barbers Shop 6-5fav (11-6) Held up in touch, not fluent, smooth headway 3 out, chased winner, driven approaching last, rallied as winner idled flat, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Secret Ploy (10-12) at Kempton 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Always behind, beaten when pulled up 4 out in race won by Albertas Run (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
The Painkiller (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Led until after 1st, remained prominent, ridden after 7th, mistake 8th, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, 6th of 7, 18l behind Blaze Ahead (10-6) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Curran (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 6f out, outpaced over 3f out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Tot O'Whiskey (11-9) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd.
Just Smudge 20-1 (10-12) Led, headed 2nd, lost place 6th, headway to chase leader 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakening when hit last, 2nd of 16, 14l behind Air Force One (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Little Said 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 47l behind Sir Boreas Hawk (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Unowatimeen (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 15l behind All For Luck (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Burn Brook 125-1 (10-0) Mid-division, losing pace when pipped 6th, soon behind, 7th of 16, well behind Trigger The Light (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
St Philips Girl 150-1 (10-5) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Lady Steph (IRE) 200-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, well behind Sir Boreas Hawk (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
