slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on outside over 5f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, switched left and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, soon switched right, ran on inside final furlong to lead towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up in touch, challenged over 2f out, no extra when not much room inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, no impression on leaders
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on under pressure to take 2nd close home
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
always prominent, ridden to lead 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, tracked leaders, bumped about 3f out, soon tightened up, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, always towards rear
SHEKAN STAR is worth chancing in a fiendishly tricky handicap; George Adamson and Lisbon Lion are others with solid claims, while a case (beyond the obvious link) can also be stated for Gosforth Park. The last named has dropped to a handy mark and, as his best form has come on decent ground, Mel Brittain's charge is no forlorn hope today. Lisbon Lion is a maiden under both codes and has been expensive to follow so far. He is holding his form well but needs a bit more give underfoot to be seen at his best. George Adamson doesn't always impress with his attitude and would never be one to trust wholeheartedly. Still, he has shown flashes of ability and, as this is hardly the strongest event he has ever contested; the son of Where Or When merits respect at this level. However, Shekan Star has a much more solid profile and, as he at least knows what it takes to win a race; the Keith Reveley-trained gelding is given another throw of the dice here.
Orkney (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, behind, driven 3f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Silk Drum (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Dechiper (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 36l behind Alloro (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
George Adamson (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 13, 6l behind Cheers For Thea (9-4) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Shekan Star 10-1 (7-11) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 9l behind Monreale (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Gulf Coast 7-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 14, 4l behind Shekan Star (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Bollin Freddie 16-1 (8-8) Chased leader until over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 7l behind Shekan Star (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Lisbon Lion (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Blackstone Vegas (10-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Tenhoo 8-1 (8-13) Held up, towards rear halfway, no impression from over 3f out, 11th of 14, 17l behind Home Secretary (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Catcher Of Dreams (IRE) 100-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, lost place over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Fremen (9-9) at Musselburgh 1m 1f sell stks (6) gf.
San Deng 14-1 (8-5) Held up in touch, progress over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 23l behind Spruzzo (8-2) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Fenners (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Towards rear, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 3f out, eased well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 47l behind Ingenue (8-2) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct.
Fitzwarren 50-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 16l behind Zaplamation (8-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Chip N Pin 17-2 (8-4) Raced wide mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, 11th of 13, 24l behind Bijou Dan (9-5) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Media Stars 50-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, weakened over 4f out, last of 12, dis behind Park's Prodigy (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Gosforth Park 25-1 (8-4) Set steady pace early until joined over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Speed Dating (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
