pulled early and held in mid-division, headway on bit to lead, quickened 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong
held up in mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
prominent, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway 5f out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden 4f out, one pace
held up in mid-division, ridden 4f out, one pace, soon weakened
held up last, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 6f out, rallied and ran on over 2f out, challenged and led 2f out, ran on greenly final furlong (improve)
prominent, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led after 7f, headed over 3f out, rallied and stayed on final furlong, went 2nd close home
On the face of things, this race would not appear to have great strength in depth so, with that in mind, we will opt for Ain't That A Shame ahead of Hollywood, Talikos, Eveon, Yaboya and Not For Diamonds. The selection stepped up on his debut second at Exeter to win at the same venue last time. Much as bumper winners do not have a great record in attempting to carry a penalty to victory, Ain't That A Shame does not seem to have too many potential star lining up against him today. Hollywood's Newbury fourth was a good effort and she can be given a chance, although her breeding of this filly who cost only 500 guineas, would suggest that stying the trip might be a problem, and Henrietta Knight's French-bred debutant Talikos is another to consider. Ian Williams' Eveon and Philip Hobbs' Yaboya are others with something of interest about them, while Not For Diamonds is related to a number of winners, including the Cheltenham Festival bumper winner, Wither Or Which. However, on what we know, Ain't That A Shame looks the likeliest winner and, because of that, gets the call.
Ain't That A Shame (IRE) 4-5fav Mid-division, smooth headway 6f out, led on bit 2f out, quickened clear, readily, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (H) gs in Jan beating Dare Too Dream by 6l, 17 ran.
Alf's Spinney Anshan gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Bitta Dash Bandmaster gelding out of Letitica.
Blakeney Run Commanche Run gelding out of Lady Blakeney.
Gentleman Jimmy Alderbrook gelding out of Irish Orchid.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) Cadoudal gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Not For Diamonds (IRE) Arctic Lord gelding, half-brother to several winning jumpers including Grade 2 winner Wither Or Which.
Old Golden Bay 100-1 With leader to halfway, weakened quickly, last of 12, well behind Corals Laurel at Warwick 2m nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Right Proud Morpeth gelding, brother to winning hurdlers Grey Brother and Kildee Lass, half-brother to winning bumper Miss Woodpigeon.
Stonesfield Coney Sadler's Way gelding out of Rocquelle.
Suprendre Espere Espere d'Or gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Vert Espere.
Yaboya (IRE) King's Theatre gelding, half-brother to numerous winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Barum Belle Thowra mare out of a moderate racemare.
Eveon (IRE) Synefos mare out of Lovely Grand.
Pertemps Job 50-1 Chased winner until weakened 3f out, 9th of 11, 41l behind There Is No Doubt at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Hollywood 14-1 In touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 19, 9l behind Senorita Rumbalita at Newbury 1m 4f nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Woodbridge Quest 20-1 Always behind, 12th of 14, 42l behind Venice Road at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) gd.
Talikos (FR) Nikos gelding out of Talaya.
