took keen hold, held up in 5th, chased leading trio and pecked 8th, one pace in 4th and held when hit 2 out, mistake and stumbled last
led, narrowly headed before 3rd, led again 5th, dived at 7th, hit 2 out, soon pressed, headed just before last, no impression on winner flat
took keen hold early stages, chased leading pair, pecked 2nd, chased leader 6th, led approaching and good jump last, stayed on well flat
mistakes always behind, blundered 2nd, hit 6th, well behind and no chance when blundered 3 out, hit last 2, tailed off
chased leader, led before 3rd, headed 5th, chased leader until next, dropped to 5th at 8th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, pecked 2nd, mistake 7th, soon outpaced, plugged on same pace from 3 out
raced wide, tracked leaders, 3rd from 7th, close up when hit 3 out and soon pushed along, stayed on same pace from next
A race that produced subsequent Arkle second Somersby last term and this year's renewal can go to DAN BREEN. David Pipe's charge achieved a rating of 139 over hurdles, although after a poor end to the campaign that's been revised to 135, but his trainer says he's an exciting novice who should do well over fences. He certainly looks like a horse who will improve for the larger obstacles and, as he's shown an ability to perform well after an absence, we're keen to side with him. Shakalakaboomboom is bred to improve for this challenge but he's plenty to find on hurdles form and hasn't yet got his head in front, while Shadow Dancer will need to attack his fences more than he did at Uttoxeter and prefers a softer surface. Ashammar tries cheek-pieces but needs to improve for them while the experience of 125-rated Darby's Turn may not be enough.
Ashammar (FR) 9-2fav (11-12) Held up mid-division in 6th, headway and chased leaders in 3rd going to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 42l behind Maska Pony (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Dan Breen (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) In touch, chased leaders when not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 20th of 23, well behind Eradicate (10-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Darby's Turn (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 5 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 10th of 23, 25l behind Battlefront (9-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, hit 3 out, driven next, weakened last, 6th of 11, 7l behind Clear Sailing (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in May.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) With leader, under pressure 5th, lost place next, soon tailed off, behind when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Karasenir (11-6) at Kempton 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Shadow Dancer (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Held up in 3rd, close up when short of room before 2 out, no impression on winner when mistake last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Darstardly Dick (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Oct.
Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led and jumped left 2 out, headed approaching last, soon ridden, not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Ring For Time (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
