held up, ridden and outpaced 5th, no danger after
tracked leaders, pushed along well before 2 out, staying on under pressure and disputing 3 lengths 2nd when left in narrow lead last, driven out
held up, mistake and outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure before 2 out, chased winner 2 out, disputing 3 lengths 2nd last, one pace run-in
chased leader until ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, driven and kept on again run-in
raced freely, led, quickened approaching 2 out, 3 lengths ahead and keeping on strongly when fell last
hit 1st, soon well behind
chased leader, badly outpaced and driven after 3 out, stayed on between last 2, left 3rd, mistake and hampered last
behind, mistake and stumbled 2nd, stayed on after 3 out to dispute 2nd 2 out, weakening when hampered last
Mister McGoldrick showed his best form back over hurdles for some time when just failing to deny Al Eile under testing conditions at Haydock last time and has to be respected on that evidence but today's faster ground may not suit Sue Smith's gelding as well as at Haydock and preference is for Royal Shakespeare, who gets the vote ahead of Self Defense. The last mentioned won this event 12 months ago and has run well on the flat and back over hurdles since then so can be expected to run his usual good race but he may not be able to give weight away all round. Rasharrow was among the best of last season's bumper horses and has done everything asked of him over hurdles so far but this looks tougher. German raider Fiepes Shuffle cannot be discounted but it will be a surprise of he is good enough, while Dalaram is hard to recommend on this season's evidence. Royal Shakespeare probably found the going too testing for him when behind Self Defense at Haydock last month and back on more suitable ground he looks the one to beat.
Self Defense 14-1 (11-5) In touch until weakened 3 out, 10th of 20, 17l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 18-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, took close order 3rd, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 7, 6l behind Al Eile (11-12) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Alph 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in rear, good headway approaching 6th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, soon in command, drew clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Polished (11-5) by 7l, 12 ran.
Dalaram (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, ridden and struggling 5th, tailed off, 18th of 20, well behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Fiepes Shuffle (GER) 11-1 (10-3) prominent to halfway, pulled up 3 out, behind Laren (10-0) at Munich 2m 4f hdl sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Milligan (FR) 250-1 (11-4) Led to 4th, lost place 4 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Al Eile (11-12) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Mister McGoldrick 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, headed flat, ran on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Al Eile (11-12) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Rasharrow (IRE) 1-5fav (11-5) Held up and keen, headway 5th, led approaching last, driven out, won at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Nov beating First Look (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
