raced keenly, led to 1st, tracked leader, not fluent 5th, led after next, not fluent 3 out, clear 2 out, soon carried head high and hung right, ran on well
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, soon hung right, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders, pushed along before 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up, headway to go prominent 5th, weakened approaching last
in touch, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and some headway after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway to go prominent 5th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression, lost 2nd towards finish
led 1st, ridden and headed after 6th, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Withdrawn
CAPO DI CAPI is selected here ahead of Fade To Grey and Petrosian. Evan Williams has a decent strike-rate at the track with his hurdlers and he can further improve it here with a recent recruit to the yard in the form of Capo Di Capi. This former Jessica Harrington inmate was last seen unseating his rider at Cork and judging by his smart hurdling form as a five-year-old he should appreciate a return to these smaller obstacles. He receives 6lb from the recent winners Petrosian and Fade To Grey, of which the latter rates as more of a danger. Vic Dartnall's unexposed gelding was a ready winner last time out at Newton Abbott and if his jumping holds up once again then he is unlikely to be far away. Petrosian scored over this course and distance but it looked a weaker race than this one, whilst Hum The Tune and Backlash have shown a modicum of ability but probably not enough to win this. The market will help here but assuming it doesn't cry 'No' then Capo Di Capi can be the boss of all bosses.
Petrosian 9-1 (10-7) Chased clear leader, not fluent 1st, lost 2nd before 5th, carried head awkwardly and hanging right from 3 out, challenged last, soon led, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Apache Dawn (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Shanahan (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up in last trio, mistake 2nd, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened after, 5th of 8, 17l behind Alrafid (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gf.
Hum The Tune 13-2 (10-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, reminder 5th, hit next, driven and kept on well flat, almost snapped 2nd, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Moon Bear (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) fm.
Khun John (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) In touch, headway 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Brouhaha (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar (flat).
Mac Don (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Tooka (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f Ladies sell hdl (5) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 100-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, tailed off from 8th, 9th of 12, 47l behind Pass It On (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f noc chs (4) gs in Nov '07.
Backlash 18-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 16, 34l behind Peaceful Means (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs clm hdl (4yo+) (4) gd in Mar.
Star Berry 40-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, jumped slow 4th, weakened from 3 out, 9th of 16, 43l behind Peaceful Means (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs clm hdl (4yo+) (4) gd in Mar.
Capo Di Capi (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression before 4 out, kept on to dispute moderate 2nd when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Valain (11-4) at Cork 2m beg chs gs in Mar '08, 14 ran.
Fade To Grey (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar beating Red Lancer (11-0) by 10l, 13 ran.
Irish Cottage (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leader, 3rd from 5th, weakened 5 out, completely tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Kaprun (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Mar.
