led, hit 4 out, stumbled and headed, soon beaten, left 3rd 2 out, pressed for 2nd flat, no impression on winner
chased leaders, blundered 5th, slow 9th, went 2nd after 4 out, jumped right and slow 3 out, soon lost 2nd, left 2nd again 2 out, no impression on winner
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, closed after 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, 2 lengths down and looked to be going ok when fell 2 out
in rear, hampered 2nd, not fluent 8th, in touch when mistake 12th, struggling from 4 out
chased leaders, lost place and pushed along 4th, fell 6th
chased leader, jumped right 10th, not fluent next, led 4 out, ridden and 2 lengths ahead when left clear 2 out, driven out
chased leaders, fell 2nd
This is a decent contest for the time of year but Irish Prophecy goes on the shortlist as he overcame trouble in-running to score at Newton Abbot and Lucca Lady and Majestic Touch were both well beaten. Softer going would have suited the returning One Forty Seven and neither Dieg Man nor Canton Prince have raced since failing to finish in respective races at Kelso and Aintree in November. SHOAL BAY is due to go up 8lb next week so it makes sense to run the recent course and distance winner under a penalty in this and he can complete a quick double.
Shoal Bay (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leader, jumped left 2nd, hampered 6th, not much room next, jumped left 9th, led after 4 out, clear from next, jumped left last, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Buster Thomas (11-7) by 7 1/2l, 9 ran.
Irish Prophecy (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slightly outpaced 4 out, rallied well from 2 out, driven between horses run-in, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Templepark (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Dieg Man (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, fell 8th, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Canton Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Not always fluent in rear, behind 12th, mistake 4 out, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Lucca Lady (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear on inside, bit closer at 10th, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th close home, 4th of 9, 14l behind Irish Prophecy (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
One Forty Seven (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Not fluent 2nd, pressed leader, led 6th, headed narrowly 5 out, ridden after next, lost place before 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 32l behind Very First Time (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Majestic Touch (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Always in rear, never on terms, 8th of 9, dist behind Irish Prophecy (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
