led, mistake, headed 5th, hit 14th, weakened 15th
held up, headway, chased leader 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, pecked last, ran on flat
prominent, ridden, chased leaders 15th, not fluent 4 out, every chance 3 out, kept on from 2 out
held up, fell 7th
held up, headway, pecked 16th, ridden 17th, weakened 4 out, jumped left 2 out, tired when fell last
prominent, blundered, unseated rider 12th
chased leader, led 5th, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied last, not pace of winner
SHAKE THE BARLEY is given the nod ahead of Bowling Green and Le Forezien. There is a degree of guesswork involved in selecting Shake The Barley as he has yet to jump a fence in public and has finished well beaten in all four career starts. Tom George tends to house chasers though and he landed one or two notable gambles with similar types making their handicap bows over fences last season. Bowling Green is at the other end of the spectrum but is having his first start for new connections since arriving from Ireland. He has yet to win over fences but would be of obvious interest if the market were to give out the right signals. Le Forezien boasts more solid credentials as he has, at least, run well on each of his last two starts over fences. He looks vulnerable to an improver though and that's just what the selection has the potential to be and Shake The Barley is taken to harvest this prize.
Classic Clover 8-1 (11-3) Led, headed and ridden when fell 5 out in race won by Earcomesannie (10-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept, 11 ran.
Monzon (FR) 10-3fav (11-8) Held up, tracked leading pair from 6th, beaten when hit 3 out, 3rd of 10, 37l behind Tempting Paradise (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 18-1 (10-3) In rear, behind 10th, never on terms, 7th of 14, 23l behind Aleron (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sept.
Bowling Green (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway to moderate 8th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace straight, 5th of 17, 23l behind Lady's Gesture (11-3) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 gf in Jun.
Shake The Barley (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Quarry Town (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Primrose Park 9-1 (10-8) Never fluent or travelling, behind when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Deltic Arrow (10-0) at N Abbot 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Aug, 9 ran.
Peveril Pride 6-1 (10-6) In touch, bumped 5th, headway 10th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 4th of 12, 23l behind Jim Bobs Girl (10-13) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs (5) gs in May.
Le Forezien (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up rear, headway 14th, soon ridden, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Beauchamp Prince (11-6) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
