held up in rear, steady headway over 3f out, ridden and stayed on final 2f, not reach leaders
keen hold early in touch, headway over 3f out, effort on outer and hard driven over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear
chased leaders, went 2nd half way, led over 2f out, headed and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, held up, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish but no chance with winner
held up, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
reluctant leader, headed over 2f out, stayed challenging until no chance with winner final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
pulled hard early, with leader to halfway, steadily lost place
In what looks to be a very modest finale, Shekel is selected ahead of Munnings Touch and Achieved. Shekel was in the process of running a very good race when the saddle slipped at Ludlow last time. A repeat of that type of run - without the slipping saddle bit, of course - can see him go very well. Although he has shown little in three starts, Munnings Touch hails from the very strong stable of Nicky Henderson and would not have to be up to much to go well today. The Flat blood is there so it would be no surprise if Achieved was able to go well in what looks a modest bumper. Aside from this, we are at a loss to be strong on any of the others because they have either shown very little on the racetrack or they were cheaply acquired. What to do? Wait for the betting but give the vote to Shekel.
Hakumatata 25-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 22l behind Dancewiththedevil (11-4) at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Mar '06.
Munnings Touch (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Always behind, 14th of 18, well behind West End King (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Shekel (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, every chance when saddle slipped over 1f out and unseated rider in race won by Lady Roania (10-11) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Nov, 6 ran.
Achieved Lahib gelding out of winning hurdler Equity's Darling.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) Bahhare gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Timynomates (IRE) Bahhare gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Dabaratsa (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 7f out, remote 4th over 3f out, never on terms, 6th of 15, well behind Issaquah (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Suire 17-2 (10-7) In touch, chased leader 12f out until 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 11, well behind Overthrow (10-3) at Fakenham 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Apr.
