led, clear and well in command when fell 2 out
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, well held when left clear 2 out, 8 lengths clear last, hard ridden, just held on
hit 5th, soon lost touch, left remote 3rd 2 out
chased leading pair, outpaced 6th, left 20 lengths 2nd 2 out, stayed on well from last, just failed
SHOREACRES is difficult to get away from despite the promise shown by Highest Esteem and Ruthenoise. He has to give a bundle of weight away to the Pipe juvenile and also has to become Brendan Powell's first winner since December but the yard went close with a runner on the all-weather in the week which bodes well. Shoreacres was the first British runner home in the Cheltenham Festival bumper and is only a rung or two off the top over hurdles. This is his easiest assignment for some time and the ground should hold no fears. Highest Esteem has shown some promise on his two starts and is probably one for handicaps later in the season and Ruthenoise could emerge as a bigger threat today. She won her sole start at Auteuil before joining her current connections and she's presumably been showing something at home as she has three Festival entries. It will be interesting to see what the market makes of her claims but we know where we are with Shoreacres and he's the one to beat as things stand.
Shoreacres (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, 3rd and challenging when jumped left 2 out, one pace soon after, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Mad Max (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Highest Esteem 14-1 (10-12) In touch, headway after 5th, effort after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 18, 29l behind Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Our Fugitive (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) With leader, led over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 18l behind Muktasb (11-4) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Rockandahardplace (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) With leaders, ridden 6f out, soon lost place, tailed off, 11th of 14, 48l behind Sherwani Wolf (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Ruthenoise (FR) (10-1) Towards rear, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, led flat, ran on well, won at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl in Oct beating Atipik (10-1) by 3l, 16 ran.
