raced keenly, jumped left, led until hit 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, raced keenly, went close 2nd 3rd, every chance 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, pushed along after 5th, ridden for 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, stayed on towards finish
held up, pulled hard, went handy 4th, close 2nd briefly after 3 out, 3rd and beaten between last 2
held up, went handy 3rd after 5th, led after 3 out, driven flat, always doing enough
held up in last pair, jumped slowly 4th, in touch went on slowly next, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in last pair, lost touch from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
WOLF MOON can confirm the promise he showed on his Rules debut by getting the better of Wizard Of Odds and Marley Roca. It would be folly to rule out Shahbash although it's hard to take too much encouragement from his Rules debut where he finished tailed off in a Plumpton bumper. Marley Roca was set an impossible task on his hurdling bow and has a more realistic opening here but he didn't show enough in bumpers to warrant selection. Wizard Of Odds sets the standard of those with hurdling experience following his third to Leo's Lucky Star and there was no disgrace in his subsequent defeat behind Kangaroo Court where his stamina appeared to fail him. He's the one to beat but we'll take a chance with Wolf Moon who was snapped up for 52,000 pounds following one run in an Irish point. He shaped promisingly in a Chepstow bumper on debut and the form has already been franked by the runner-up. He got outpaced that day but a stronger pace and this stiff finish should bring his stamina into play and see Wolf Moon to better advantage.
Marley Roca (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Led 2nd until 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 27l behind According To Dick (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Shahbash 16-1 (11-2) In touch, headway on inside over 5f out, weakened quickly over 3f out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 43l behind Divy (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd.
Upham Atom 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, slightly hampered 2nd, effort approaching 3 out, never reached leaders, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 20l behind Midnight Sail (11-6) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (3) gd.
Wizard of Odds 20-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, led 3rd, weakening when headed 2 out, 7th of 15, 17l behind Kangaroo Court (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Wolf Moon (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, in touch, led 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon hung left under pressure, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Barafundle (11-4) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd.
Lapina (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leader for 5f, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 13l behind Mildoura (9-4) at Folkestone 1m 4f fll hcp (0-75) (5) gs in Mar (flat).
Simplyirresistible (IRE) 250-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Charmaine Wood (11-7) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
