mid-division, kept on one pace final 2f
held up in mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased winner 3f out, no impression final 2f
in touch, chased leading pair 4f out, driven and one pace final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
in rear until moderate headway final 2f
tracked leader, led over 6f out, quickened clear final 2f, easily
led to over 6f out, chased winner to 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3f out then weakened
took keen hold, soon in touch, ridden over 3f out and soon weakened
mid-division early, weakened and behind final 5f, tailed off
took keen hold, held up, never reached beyond mid-division
took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, ridden 6f out, soon weakened and well behind, tailed off
behind, kept on final 2f, never going pace to reach leaders
A difficult race to predict without market information but the shortlist consists of Boomshakalaka, Mendo and Schiehallon and we chance Mendo as the selection. The selection finished third in the Aintree champion bumper two seasons ago and if fit enough, that form is quite some way ahead of the others. Boomshakalaka has to be respected as an inmate of Nicky Henderson's but Mick Fitzgerald has elected to partner Schiehallion instead and it is presumed that he has had the choice of mounts. Seismic Shift won well at Ludlow and is sure to have been brought on for the run. The Henrietta Knight yard have landed a couple of gambles in recent weeks so the market is watched closely. Better Together looks the pick of the Nick Gifford entry and is related to a number of flat and hurdling winners. Iroquois Jo did not show a lot on debut but Richard Phillips' runners are performing a lot better of late and he can be expected to go close here. King Of The Jungle is bred to appreciate further and is given a watching brief. Heez A Steel got stuck in the mud at Hexham on his latest start so it is interesting that John Charlton elects to take on this strong assignment. South Bank is very much bred on National Hunt lines and could be one to watch with a view to the future. This is a race for the video and at the likely odds, Mendo looks a sporting bet in the last.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, won at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Jun '05 beating Ar Nos Na Gaoithe (10-11) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Mendo 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led over 9f out, ridden over 2f out, headed and not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 22, 1l behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr '05.
Schiehallion (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4f out, came to stand's side, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) hvy in Nov beating Jass (11-5) by 5l, 18 ran.
Seismic Shift (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up, headway on outside 5f out, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov beating Stripe Me Blue (10-9) by 7l, 10 ran.
Better Together Spadoun gelding out of Persian Jewel.
Bouncing Bob Florida Son gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Muckle Flugga.
Crocodiles Rock (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 4f out, stayed on one pace final 2f, 5th of 15, 9l behind Wise Men Say (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Hawk Royal (FR) Epervier Bleu gelding out of winning hurdler Altesse Du Chenet.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Held up, ridden and weakened over 5f out, 6th of 11, well behind Berwick Law (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) hvy.
Il Potere (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out until 2f out, no extra, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Deep Reflection (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Iroquois Warrior (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway after 6f, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 14, 13l behind Golden Child (10-11) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Joe Kayf Tara gelding out of an unraced mare.
King of The Jungle (IRE) Accordion gelding out of an unraced mare.
Maximus Meridus Mark of Esteem gelding out of an unraced mare.
Munnings Touch (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, never troubled leaders, 8th of 12, 19l behind Carlitos (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Rock Star Appeal Rock City gelding out of a moderate racemare.
South Bank (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of winning pointer Cluain-Ard.
Such Is Life Sir Harry Lewis gelding out of winning hurdler Loch Na Keal.
Taipan's Promise (IRE) Taipan gelding out of an unraced mare.
Tinchel (IRE) Moonax gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler My Good Lord.
Triple Seven (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 38l behind Private Note (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Emma Gee Sure Blade filly out of 1m4f and hurdles winner Elusive Star.
