prominent, led after 4th, mistake 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon slipped on bend, weakening when mistake 2 out
behind, headway 6th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace flat
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
led, headed after 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up and keen, headway 5th, led 2 out, comfortably
behind, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division until weakened 5th
prominent and keen, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
Shaamit The Vaamit looks the main contender in this opener with Road King and Piran the likely dangers. Having run consistently well of late namely when finishing fourth of twelve in a better contest last time out Shaamit The Vaamit has the best form on offer here so is one to stay on the right side of. Road King has a handy weight concession here and ran well enough when fifth of nine last time out. Improvement is still needed to win this though. A better chance can be given to Piran who comes from a yard very much in form at present and who has a decent jockey booked in James Tudor. Any market move should be noted. But for the winner we return to Shaamit The Vaamit.
Shaamit The Vaamit (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up tracking leaders, mistake 5th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, not quicken, 4th of 12, 9l behind Nagano (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
He's A Rascal (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 5th, outpaced after next, stayed on flat, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Birdwatch (11-0) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Nov.
Tweed 22-1 (10-12) Behind from 5th, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Pink Harbour (10-5) at Towcester 2m 5f sll hdl (G) gd in Oct '04.
Road King (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on from next, 5th of 9, 7l behind Zeloso (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs.
Lane Marshal 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden along 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 25l behind Astronomical (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Piran (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Prominent until weakened 2 out, 6th of 16, 15l behind Kristinor (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (E) gf in Oct.
Astral Affair (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 8th, weakened quickly after 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Jaunty Times (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Nov.
Ilongue (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Behind, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 11l behind Little Brave (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov.
Keepasharplookout (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Swerved badly left start, always tailed off, last of 10, well behind North Lodge (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f amt hcp hdl (F) gd in Nov.