towards rear and keen, mistake and jumped left 1st, took closer order 5th, in 3rd and every chance when fell 3 out
held up in rear, in 4th and no impression when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leader until hit 5th, soon behind
held up, ridden after 4 out, left remote 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, ridden and reminder s after 4 out, weakened and eased approaching 3 out
There was plenty to like about the way Shamawan progressed last season, chalking up easy wins at Huntingdon and Market Rasen in the process, before a valiant effort at the Punchestown Festival. Jonjo O'Neill's team are in good form and there certainly looks to be more to come from this J P McManus-owned gelding. Admittedly he would probably prefer some cut, but he is taken to lift the biggest prize of the meeting. Special Agenda has some ability but is inconsistent, though he does have an 11lb pull with Ei Ei for a 20 length defeat by that rival at Cartmel in June. Ei Ei is a very tough, consistent performer and this is his best trip, but he is 6lbs higher than his highest winning mark here. He will probably set the pace and should give them a bit to do, but will probably find a couple too good here. Sharpastrizam was another improver last season, winning four times. He finished off the campaign with a battling win at Perth and despite Peter Beaumont's string being in pretty good form, he is likely to need the run. Xaipete is proving very difficult to win with and it would be a surprise if he were to do so in this race, but Ivanoph travels up from Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat yard and on his stable's form alone merits consideration.
