led at fast pace, steadied approaching 4th, clear again after next, headed 3 out, chasing winner and held when slightly hampered next, no impression and lost 2nd flat
chased clear leader, closed approaching 4th, jumped slowly and outpaced next, stayed on under pressure from 4 out, went 2nd and closed flat, always held
held up last, headway to track leading pair 5th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, went last next, driven and held on well flat
Mister McGoldrick,Armaturk and Don't Be Shy look the principals in this competitive affair and the narrow nomination is given to the last named. The selection won well last time out when beating New Alco and although this looks tougher he will love the ground and in receipt of the weight for age allowance he looks the one to be on. Mister McGoldrick rates the main danger as his form is rock solid and he will love the ground but he may be taken on for the lead here and for that reason he is opposed. Armaturk won well last time out when beating Bleu Seperbe but although he has won on this ground his best form is on a faster surface and he looks opposable for that reason. Locksmith has shown very little of late and looks outclassed.
Mister McGoldrick 4-1 (11-0) Chased leader, badly outpaced and driven after 3 out, stayed on between last 2, left 3rd, mistake and hampered last, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Royal Shakespeare (11-4) at Sandown 2m lst hdl (1) gd.
Armaturk (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders throughout, hit last, strong challenge run-in, ran on gamely to lead last strides, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs (B) sft in Dec beating Bleu Superbe (10-1) by a nk, 6 ran.
Locksmith 40-1 (11-9) In rear, some progress from 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 14l behind Tysou (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf.
Don't Be Shy (FR) 8-11fav (10-7) With leader, led 2nd, soon headed, led 4th, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (2) hvy in Jan beating New Alco (10-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
