tracked leader and not fluent, led 5 out, clear when mistake last, easily
led, mistake 5th, headed 5 out, beaten approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
SHINING GALE can regain the winning thread at the expense of Striking Article and Mill Side. Charlie Mann's charge was spoken of as a possible festival horse before the wheels metaphorically came off at Southwell. There's little doubt that he is more than capable of returning to the winners enclosure on the figures but he will need to exhibit a much keener attitude to proceedings than he did on that day. Striking Article may make the running this afternoon. He has a very unorthodox technique of negotiating his fences. Mill Side was put in his place at Doncaster last time out and would have been far better off were this a handicap. Linlithgow Lad has been unfancied on two starts under rules so far and there is no reason to suggest there will be any change today. Shining Gale is the selection.
Striking Article (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Led, jumped left 4th and 9th, hit 4 out, ridden and jumped badly left and headed 3 out, driven and one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Role On (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
Linlithgow Lad 100-1 (10-11) Prominent, hampered 3rd, outpaced from 7th, 5th of 9, well behind High Bird Humphrey (10-11) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gd.
Shining Gale (IRE) 10-11fav (11-8) Held up, ridden 4 out, one pace from next, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 20l behind Best Actor (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Mill Side 7-2 (11-3) Led to 9th, kept on same pace from last, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Tarotino (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
