chased leaders until ridden and lost place over 3f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
pushed along to chase leaders, chased leader over 8f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, outpaced halfway, ridden over 3f out, stayed on and no impression final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
mid-division, struggling from halfway
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, chased winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leader until over 8f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
Kylkenny and Moon Shot are closely matched on running over course and distance nine days ago but preference is for Shape Up, who is taken to gain an overdue success. The selection has run well over this trip at Wolverhampton on his last two starts, latterly behind Golano, but had previously run up to a similar level of form here so there should be no problem with the surface and although creeping up in the weights he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity. Top weight Love You Always is interesting on his debut on the all-weather but lack of a previous run here has to be of concern and a bigger threat may come from Romil Star. Karl Burke's gelding is four times a course and distance winner, latterly when landing a claimer earlier this month. However, the eight-year-old is gradually creeping up in the weights and, along with Vanbrugh, now looks to be in the grip of the handicapper. Kylkenny was hardly winning out of turn last time and has to be respected along with Moon Shot, who meets Hugh Morrison's 10-year-old on more favourable terms today but Shape Up has been threatening to win a race of this nature and should do so today.
