chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish
mid-division, weakened 7th
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, pushed along and weakened 7th
always behind
made all, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent next, weakened last
chased winner, ridden 7th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on from next
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up, headway to chase winner 2 out, kept on no impression
always towards rear, struggling halfway
Not a great race but a chance is taken with Mr Shambles ahead of Custom Design, Imtihan and Hawk's Landing. Mr Shambles is hardly the most consistent of performers but he handles the going well enough and with Steve Gollings' runners always respected at his "home track", he could be worth a speculative punt at the odds. Custom Design has solid formbook chances on this surface and has course-and-distance form to boot. It is surely a question of whether the handicapper has him in his grasp. Imtihan has been the medium of successful gambles in the past so any interest in Sue Smith's charge is heeded. Hawk's Landing is well treated on the evidence of his chasing form, although he may find the trip plenty sharp enough. Ever Special has been in rude health in selling grade but faces a tougher assignment here. Wot Way Chief has ability although his latest run was too bad to be true. A winner on soft in the past, he has place claims if bouncing back. Moyne Pleasure showed little on a recent run on the flat but should have stripped fitter for the experience. A race that lacks quality although does not suffer as far as competitiveness is concerned, and our tentative vote is for Mr Shambles.
Imtihan (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Into The Shadows (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Hawk's Landing (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Held up, pushed along after 7th, ridden and some headway 4 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 10l behind Supreme Catch (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Custom Design Evensfav (10-12) Made all, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on well under pressure, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Rojabaa (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wot Way Chief 9-2 (10-8) Held up, headway 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 30l behind Berengario (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Rebel Raider (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up mid-division, mistake 5th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 22l behind Grey Samurai (10-11) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Ever Special (IRE) 11-10fav (10-8) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 11l behind Karathaena (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Le Millenaire (FR) 10-3 (10-11) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Karathaena (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Hillcrest (NZ) 16-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, led soon after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Fleetwood Forest (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
