behind and soon pushed along, struggling 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
made virtually all, hit 2 out, soon clear, ridden out flat
in touch, lost place 4th, headway when hampered approaching 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, kept on, no impression with winner
mid-division, mistake 3rd, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up before last
raced keenly and soon with winner, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
in touch, challenged 3 out, outpaced when blundered next, soon weakened
held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
Shady Merlin gets a speculative vote over Nebraska City, Gappersonneldotcom and Star Trooper in a weak contest. The last named won this event 12 months ago but now lines up having to carry a stone more, and will therefore find a repeat success tough to say the least. Our idea of the winner is Shady Merlin who appeared to improve for the fitting of a first-time visor when third in similar company at Catterick eight days ago, fading after holding every chance in that 19-furlong contest. He will appreciate the drop back in trip on this ground, and although expected to go back over fences soon, can open his account. Nebraska City came good at Catterick last time, overcoming a mistake two out to score well enough, and should also run well in this equally modest race, while Gappersonneldotcom appears to be improving bit-by-bit and is another to consider. This is not an event to get too heavily involved in, with only a small wager suggested on Shady Merlin.
Roadworthy (IRE) 15-2 (10-4) Weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Em's Royalty (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy, 20 ran.
Nebraska City 17-2 (9-13) Chased leader, led after 3 out, clear when blundered badly 2 out, driven out, won at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec beating Mr Ex (11-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
Star Trooper (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, effort approaching 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 17, well behind Windygate (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f amt hcp hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Killing Joke 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, never a factor, 12th of 20, well behind Tango Jim (11-0) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl gs in Nov.
Parisian Playboy 100-1 (10-12) Prominent to 5th, soon behind, 12th of 17, well behind Noble Raider (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Gappersonneldotcom (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Seafire Lad (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Shady Merlin (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led 6th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Needwood Spirit (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Hum (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Prominent until 6th, 11th of 14, well behind Ma Yahab (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in Apr '05.
