behind, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 3 out, drew clear between last 2, pushed out
mid-division, lost place 7th, tailed off before 2 out, pulled up
held up, headway to chase winner 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, lost 2nd approaching last
with leader, led 7th, headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway an in touch 7th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
behind, reminders 5th, ridden and headway when hit 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance of winner
chased leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next
Dead Man's Dante looks to be ahead of the handicapper and gets the vote here ahead of The Shy Man, Eumene and Mister Fizzbomb. Ferdy Murphy's runner carries a 7lb penalty here courtesy of a recent eight length handicpa success at the track. The drop back in trip won't matter, he acts well on this ground and he just looks to be in such good form at the moment that he can defy that penalty in what is not a competitive race. The Shy Man is a course and distance winner of a maiden hurdle, but he got rid of his partner at the first last time out and so comes here without another hard race. That should stand him in good stead for a possible battle and he can go well again back at this track. Eumene showed some signs of life when runner up at Huntingdon on much slower ground last time and if he handles this then the juvenile could run into the money, while Mister Fizzbomb is fitted with a first-time visor in the hope that some ordinary recent form can be improved upon. Even if he does that though he will be hard pressed to get the better of Dead Man's Dante, who gets the nod.
The Shy Man (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division when unseated rider in race won by Kilrossanty (10-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 13 ran.
Eumene (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, soon tracking leaders, led after 3 out, soon headed and one pace, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Ingratitude (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up, headway 6th, went 2nd 3 out, led going well before next, soon clear, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf beating Alpha Juliet (10-3) by 8l, 14 ran.
Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, 9th of 12, 46l behind Habanero (10-11) at Wetherby 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gf.
Day Care 25-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, mainly moderate 5th, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 5th of 18, 10l behind Prince Noora (10-2) at Limerick 3m hcp 0-105 gf.
He's A Hotshot (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Never a factor, 12th of 20, 22l behind Hey Bob (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl gf.
Khadija 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 22l behind Aggie's Lad (10-11) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Apocalozzo (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Mistakes 2nd and 4th, always behind, 8th of 15, 36l behind Intersky Music (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
