led and not fluent 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, hit 7th, headway 12th, 4th and weakening when slipped badly on landing 2 out
prominent, chased leader after 5th, mistake and unseated rider 10th
led to 2nd, prominent, mistakes 4th and 8th, pushed along 12th, weakened 13th
held up in rear, headway 11th, mistake 2 out, soon edged right, not fluent last, stayed on flat
mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 7th, left 2nd 10th, challenged 12th, led 2 out, stayed on well flat
in touch, not fluent 7th, weakened 12th, jumped left 3 out, soon tailed off, jumped badly left last
not jump well, behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
A very interesting mares novice chase comprising of SHATABDI, second behind Kalahari King on her seasonal debut at Leicester, Aimigayle who was a comfortable winner at Kempton over three miles while the presence of Overbranch and the McManus owned pair of Rate Of Knots and Kerriemuir Lass make for a good competitive race for which these type of contests, sometimes fail to attract. Shatabdi proved herself a smart mare during the second half of last season where although not scoring, they were solid efforts in competitive company. She was well supported to beat Kalahari King in receipt of 20lb but Ferdy Murphy's charge ultimately proved too strong. Back in against her own sex and stepping up in trip will suit and Sam Waley-Cohan's 7lb claim can prove very valuable and leaves her looking very well treated. Aimigayle dictated matters at Kempton, her rider affording the opportunity to take a breather mid-way through the contest before opening up again. She has winning hurdle form at this track but 2m 4f around this chase course might just be on the short side. Overbranch has finished runner-up on three of her four starts over the larger obstacles and judging by the manner of how she stayed on at Towcester, she may be seen to better effect over further also. Her jumping on occasions has also tended to be rather exuberant, in that she spends a lot of time in the air, something which she cannot afford to do at this track. Both Rate Of Knots and Kerrimuir Lass are making their chasing debuts and should be watched with novice chases over the festive period liking to be more within their capabilities. Shatabdi is the selection to come home in front.
Aimigayle 7-2 (10-9) Prominent, hit 2nd, led 4th, mistake 11th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov beating Nom de Guerre (11-2) by 4l, 8 ran.
Cornerback (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division until 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jaunty Flight (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
Kerriemuir Lass (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Led until approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 23l behind Mick Jerome (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Overbranch 2-1 (10-8) Prominent, reminders 5th, hampered 7th, left in lead, headed 10th, rallied 2 out, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Consigliere (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Rate of Knots (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up, disputed 3rd approaching 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Magnifico (9-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Shatabdi (IRE) 9-4 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Kalahari King (11-6) at Leicester 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Sunny Brook 4-1 (11-5) Led 1st, mistake 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, hung left and weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Major Catch (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Thehonourablelady 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Mick Jerome (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
