soon led, challenged 4 out, drew clear after next, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied after next, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leader, lost place after 4 out, tailed off next
tracked leader, challenging when blundered 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened after 2 out
Samtu is a versatile sort and makes his chasing bow off the same mark as when second over hurdles two runs ago. Shaiyzar is 0-26 over fences so comes with a big question mark hanging over him but he ran his best race for a long time at Wetherby last month and a repeat of that could see him competitive, though YOUNOSO is much less exposed and only 5lb higher than when winning easily at Newcastle. He was third over this trip at Wetherby the time before.
Samtu (IRE) 11-2 (11-13) Chased leaders, lost place when blundered 6th, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Inchcolm (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Shaiyzar (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway halfway, mistake 14th, chased leaders 4 out, hampered and left in 2nd 2 out, kept on well closing stages, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Nortonthorpelegend (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Younoso 2-1fav (10-4) Made all, mistake 2 out, left clear last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan beating Monsieur Bagot (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Scorpo (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, outpaced when mistake 10th, rallied 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Two Hoots (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
