mid-division, took keen hold, stumbled badly 5th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, led and wandered into 2 out, clear before last, easily
chased leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd after the 2nd, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway before 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden after 3 out, soon well behind, pulled up before 2 out
led, wandered into 1st and 2nd, headed before 2 out, one pace
always towards rear
chased leader, wandered into 1st and 2nd, soon lost 2nd, close up when wandered into 2 out, outpaced by winner after, faded flat
Plumpton runner-up Ban Shoof is the pick of those with hurdling experience but that’s not saying much. Fitzroy was second in a Stratford bumper when last seen but ECCO has been highly tried throughout his career and finished sixth in the Triumph Hurdle in March. This is a huge drop in class and it will be a shock if he is beaten. Free should prove better than she showed at Chepstow in March but racecourse debutante Princess T is best watched on this occasion.
Ban Shoof 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 4 out, drive to chase leaders after next, went 2nd between last 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Gateway To Europe (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f (4) gf in Sep.
Ecco 100-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, ridden before last, kept on flat, never nearer, 6th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Pentland Hills (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar.
Fitzroy (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, went 2nd 4f out until over 1f out, went 2nd again near finish, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Now Is The Winter (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Mood For Mischief 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, outpaced when jumped path and went wide turning in, no impression from next, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 14l behind Gateway To Europe (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f (4) gf in Sep.
Phoenix Lightning (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Towards rear, switched left and progress under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, never on terms, 7th of 19, 7 1/4l behind She's My Dream (9-9) at Naas 6f hcp gd in Aug.
Shelfield 40-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, steadied and always behind, last of 7, dist behind Tea Clipper (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Top Beak (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, lost touch 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Capitoul (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gs in Sep.
Free (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake and lost place 3rd, never on terms after, 6th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Deadringerforlove (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Princess T Aussie Rules filly out of Fairy Slipper.
