tracked leading trio, challenging when slightly hampered 7th, led well before 3 out until approaching 3 out, outpaced in 3rd after 3 out, rallied into modest 2nd at the last, no chance with winner
chased leading pair until 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
always in rear, pushed along and struggling before 7th, tailed off
took keen hold tracking leader, hit 1st, led 3rd until 5th, pressed leader, led again after 7th until well before 3 out, chased winner, driven and no impression before 2 out, mistake and lost 2nd at the last
led until 3rd, led again 5th, headed after 7th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, blundered last
tracked leading trio, slightly lost place 5th, rallied 7th, 2nd soon after, led 3 out, clear before next, very easily
All have some sort of chance but ZEROESHADESOFGREY was thought good enough to contest the Cheltenham Festival bumper on his last start in March, so this looks a very acceptable starting point for the son of Portrait Gallery over timber. He'd previously performed really well on a trio of bumper starts, winning twice and finishing a close second to the useful River Deep. That represents the best bumper form on show by far and he gets the vote. Dancing Shadow has also showed promise on all three bumper starts and his yard is going well, so he's seen as the prime threat, along with Essteepee, not disgraced when third on his hurdling debut behind Private Malone. Seaviper is not to be ruled out either, especially with his promising conditional claiming a useful 7lb.
Dancing Shadow (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Soon led, headed narrowly 7th, lost place 3f out, no impression in 4th over 2f out, stayed on to take modest 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Tea For Two (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Essteepee 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, headway 6th, no impression before 3 out, went 3rd before next, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Private Malone (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Kalucci (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 7th of 10, 26l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Seaviper (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) With leader, blundered 2 out, one pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Cloonacool (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Youngdocgallagher (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 37l behind Andi'amu (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous, 15th of 22, 19l behind Silver Concorde (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m G1 NH flat (1) gd in Mar.
