held up, blundered 13th, headway 16th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 5 out, well behind when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out, no chance when mistake 2 out
always in rear
in touch, went 2nd 14th, led 5 out to 4 out, weakened 3 out
led, niggled along from 11th, ridden and headed 12th, hit 15th, weakened 16th
held up but in touch, led approaching 3 out, edged left after 2 out, stayed on well
jumped right, always towards rear, lost touch from 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
chased leader, led 12th, headed 5 out, led again 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression between last 2
The Luder and Contact Dancer look handicapped to the hilt but Victory Gunner is feared having completed a hat-trick of wins in the Lincolnshire National. There could be more to come from Mayeul and Mage D'Estruval whilst Desert Tommy is dangerously well handicapped but the suggestion is Miss Shakira. Her latest run over three and a half miles at Market Rasen proved that a thorough test holds no fears for her but it did seem to stretch her stamina to the limits and the drop to this marginally shorter trip could be the key. It's hard to fault Victory Gunner who is in form and proven on the course but Market Rasen's Boxing Day showpiece has been the only race that he has won in each of the last three seasons and it's been some time since he's won from a mark this high. Desert Tommy has shown little in three starts over fences but is very well handicapped as a result if his connections can bring him back to his best but The Luder and Mage D'Estruval are far more solid propositions. However, Miss Shakira is taken to make the most of the weight that she receives from all bar one of her rivals.
The Luder (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Held up, ridden and blundered 14th, headway 18th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-1) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up, slightly hampered 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, rallied flat, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Yann's (10-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Mayeul (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 12th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Le Briar Soul (10-11) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Dark Corner (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Desert Tommy 50-1 (9-7) Prominent until lost place 4th, soon tailed off, 11th of 18, well behind Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Held up, reminders 3rd, headway to chase leaders 12th, led after 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating The Dark Lord (11-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Miss Shakira (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, challenged when hit 13th, led next, going well approaching 3 out, ridden, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Matmata de Tendron (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Charango Star 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 12th, weakened next and pulled up at the 16th in race won by Arnold Layne (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
