tracked winner from 3rd, ridden 3 out, fading after last
tracked leaders, lost place and outpaced after 5th, kept on again after 2 out
held up in touch, driven 5th, headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
made all, clear 2 out, ridden 3 out, clear after last, unchallenged
held up in touch, mistake and weakened 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on from after 2 out until one pace flat
prominent and keen, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden 3 out, no further impression
held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon one pace
Royal Shakespeare had conditions and weights to suit when landing the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month but may find it hard to give weight away to his rivals here and a better bet looks to be Natal, who is preferred to Penzance. The selection has looked a decent and progressive novice this term and, despite a slightly disappointing effort in the Christmas Hurdle when last seen, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding still looks to be on the upgrade and is taken to regain the winning thread. Martin Pipe's Desert Air put up a career best effort when winning a Sandown handicap last time with Chief Yeoman and Briareus behind and strictly held but has more to do in this company today. Paul Nicholls has a good line to Whispered Promises through stablemate Noland and a bigger threat may come from last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Penzance who has probably found the ground softer than ideal previously this season. He is entitled to be thereabouts again but Natal is a promising novice and he is taken to resume winning ways.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along well before 2 out, staying on and disputing 2nd when left in narrow lead last, driven out, won at Sandown 2m lst hdl (1) gd beating Alph (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Desert Air (JPN) 25-1 (10-9) In touch, chased leading pair 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear last, hard driven and held on well flat, won at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan beating Nathos (9-13) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Penzance 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Harchibald (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Briareus 10-1 (10-10) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened before next, 13th of 20, 25l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Chief Yeoman 16-1 (11-3) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 20, 10l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Goldbrook 20-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden and one pace 2 out, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Ursis (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jan.
Natal (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, hung right and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 22l behind Feathard Lady (11-0) at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Tolpuddle (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, progress halfway, 4th and ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Mounthenry (11-5) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Whispered Promises (USA) 15-2 (11-7) Raced freely, led, hit 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Noland (11-7) at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.
