led, not fluent 6th and 7th, headed before 2 out, not fluent last, no match for winner
chased leader, stumbled after 7th, led before 2 out where not fluent, kept on well, comfortably
held up in rear, given reminders after 3rd, soon detached, tailed off after 5th and ridden along, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden along after 3 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, went third before 2 out, kept on one pace from last
held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon tailed off
prominent, not fluent 6th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
midfield, tailed off from 7th, eventually completed
SHANTOU EXPRESS had been showing useful form prior to landing the odds at Exeter and may progress further now he’s got his head in front. He is getting 7lb here from dual winner Finisk River and that may prove decisive, though Donald McCain’s novice certainly won’t go down without a fight having been rested since falling when beaten in a Class 2 at Cheltenham. None of the others appear to have much of a chance barring accidents.
Finisk River 8-1 (11-6) Prominent, awkward 5th, lost ground into midfield 4 out, weakening when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct.
Shantou Express (IRE) 1-5fav (11-0) Led until after 1st, chased leader, jumped left 4th, led before 3 out, left clear next, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gf in Oct beating Wargrave (11-0) by 23l, 9 ran.
Dr Keenan (IRE) 300-1 (11-2) Led, headed before 5th, weakened quickly before 8th, pulled up after next, at Huntingdon 3m 1f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Euro Fou (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, made some headway 6th, pushed along after 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 8, dist behind C'Est Le Bonheur (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Falcone De Bersy (FR) 25-1 (11-2) In touch on outside, dropped to mid-division halfway, no danger after, behind and struggling over 4f out, 9th of 13, dist behind Tupelo Mississippi (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (5) Slow in Feb.
Foster'sisland 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, lost place and towards rear before 7th, rallied approaching 3 out, modest 3rd soon after 3 out, never any chance with leading duo, 3rd of 10, dist behind African Dance (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Orlas' Abbey 400-1 (10-5) Behind in rear, slow jump 2nd, ridden after 5th, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 8th, at Ayr 2m 3f (4) hvy in Nov.
Penny Hill (IRE) 250-1 (10-5) In rear, modest headway before 2 out, tailed off before last, last of 10, dist behind Lady Villanelle (10-5) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Nov.
