chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, kept on same pace from 3 out
led, blundered and headed 3 out, kept on well to hold 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up, steady headway 12th, driven in 3rd after 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out
close up, chased leader after 4 out, led 3 out, came clear before last (no time taken)
in rear, struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 10th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
several slow jumps, always in rear, tailed off
chased leader until 8th, weakened soon after 4 out
A chance is taken with SHAKING HANDS in preference to Its A Classic and Freddies Return. Supporters of the selection will need to forgive a poor run at Hereford but he's been given a bit of time off and exchanges cheekpieces for blinkers which may bring about a return to form. He had shown improved form prior to Hereford when making a winning chase debut at Uttoxeter, albeit in fortuitous fashion, and may be able to make further progress. Its A Classic has shown relatively consistent form and was winning for the second time this season when scoring at Towcester by a wide margin. That distance has probably forced the trainer's hand in turning him out under a penalty but the race may have taken its toll so he could be worth opposing. Freddies Return hasn't had a great deal of racing but he proved that he has the ability to win a race of this nature when finding only one too strong at Warwick; he's only been raised by a pound for that performance and should go well. Topless and Quartz Du Montceau have place claims on their best form whilst Billybo may have more to offer but a chance is taken that Shaking Hands can return to form.
Its A Classic 9-2 (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, went 2nd 12th, led 14th, drew clear approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft beating Woodlands Genpower (10-12) by 30l, 7 ran.
Topless (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Rapid Increase (11-6) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Freddies Return (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in last, ridden to go 4th 4 out, closed after 3 out, stayed on well to go 2nd flat, closed on winner, always held, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind The Gangerman (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, blundered 13th, lost place when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Rapid Increase (11-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Heart Springs 12-1 (10-7) Held up, took keen hold, closed 4th, ridden after 15th, weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 40l behind The Gangerman (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Hobb's Dream (9-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Mister Pink 9-2 (10-6) Soon behind and detached, tailed off when pulled up after 7th, in a race won by Rince Donn (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Billybo 16-1 (11-4) In touch, led 14th, fell 3 out, in a race won by Woodlands Genpower (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
