led to 4th, chased leader, led again 9th, head after 15th, still chance when blundered 2 out, weakened
held up mid-division, mistake 3rd, stayed in touch until 2 out, kept on one-paced
held up in rear, mistak 12th, behind and beaten when slightly hampered 17th, no chance afterwards
close up, led after 4th, headed 9th, driven and weakened after 17th
close up, progress 12th, led after 15th, hard ridden 2 out, stayed on well, driven out flat
behind, mistake 1str, chased winner from 18th, always held when wandered under pressure after last
held up last, never dangerous, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden along in 5th when fell 17th
held up towards rear, hard ridden 15th, soon struggling and tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
A competitive handicap chase where the TEAMtalk vote goes to recent Wincanton winner Hell-Of-A-Shindy. The J P McManus-owned gelding couldn't get his head in front when arriving on these shores from Ireland last season, but came good first time out at the south-west track recently, when holding Scoring Pedigree to win by three lengths over 2m 5f. The eight-year-old has been raised 7lbs for that success, but is still handily weighted in this three mile event and has already proved himself over the trip in the Emerald Isle. He could pay to follow until beaten and can see off some more experienced rivals here. In an open-looking contest, there are a number of others with chances, including top weight Cimmarone Cove. The gelding has returned to a good mark after a fairly long losing run. However, he does possess ability, likes cut in the ground and comes from a stable bang in form, so he should go well. Nine-year-old No More Hassle is another capable sort who is back to a mark from which he is likely to run well. He is still 2lbs higher than his highest win, but is a tough sort and it would not be too much of a surprise if he were good enough here either, though arguably he would prefer a faster surface. Rockcliffe Gossip is also worth considering, as he has run well in similar conditions before, though he does look exposed after a Bangor win last month. Others who merit respect are The Sawdust Kid, though he has again looked exposed and lost his way since wins at Fontwell (twice) and Southwell, and Jean Guy. The latter has plenty of soft ground form in France to his name, comes from another in-form yard, and has been dropped 10lbs since his last run at Newbury in March. He could well be the one to chase home the selection.
