in touch, headway 7th, ridden 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, reminders after 2nd, well behind when pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, lost place after 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mistakes, prominent, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and beaten when fell 2 out, remounted
held up, headway approaching 8th, joined winner after next, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, blundered, hampered and left 2nd 2 out
jumped well thoughout, chased leader, led 6th, left well clear 2 out, easily
led, ridden after 5th, headed 6th weakened from next, tailed off when jumped badly left 4 out
Ijika is taken by TEAMtalk to put a poor chase debut behind him and translate his superior hurdle form to the larger obstacles. The six-year-old was travelling well until a mistake at the sixth dented his confidence and put paid to his chances. Suited by any ground he should be hard to beat here. River Styx deserves to win a race based on his consistency of late and he is the most experienced fencer in the field. Kind Sir had some useful form a couple of seasons ago but has had training problems. His two most recent appearances are hardly inspiring but is in with a chance if his jockey can get him settled. Shellin Hill looks well weighted on previous form and did show signs he was returning to form when beaten only six lengths at Warwick recently. His trainer does well at this track so market support would be worth noting.
