held up towards rear, mid-division when pulled up before 3f out
led, ridden when headed approaching 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead 3f out, headed and weakened soon after
keen hold, tracking leaders, ridden approaching 6th, weakened quickly soon after
held up mid-division, headway after, led on bit approaching 2f out, pushed clear
always in rear, ridden 5th, mistake next, soon lost touch
held up towards rear, not fluent second, headway after 5th, driven 4f out and outpaced, no further impression
held up and keen, headway after 5th, chased winner approaching 2f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4f out
always behind, mistake when pushed along 4th, lost touch from 6th
Shaman gets the confident vote here with Fruit Defendu, River Bann and Wyn Dixie also worthy of plenty of consideration. Shaman has been knocking on the door for some time, and goes well on this track. He was well beaten at Kempton last time behind Island Stream, but ran well enough here when a close second behind Cristoforo. River Bann could go well as he is on a handy mark at present and will have conditions to suit here. He has been crying out for some cut in the ground and he will be interesting if the market speaks in his favour. Wyn Dixie represents Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy and has to be respected, especially as there could still be plenty more to come from this lightly-raced gelding. Fruit Defendu was well beaten on his seasonal reappearance at Newton Abbot, but that form has been given a boost because Welcome to Unos, who was even further down the field on that day, went on to win at Leicester last week. The rest would have to improve to feature at the finish, so we are happy to side with Shaman, who is taken to at last get his head in front.
