led, hard driven after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, rallied last, kept on well
held up in touch, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, keen, effort 3 out, soon ridden and lost place
behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace approaching last
in touch when fell 2nd
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led before next, ran on well
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, tracking leaders when stumbled on landing and unseated rider last
SHANTOU TIGER has gone well here the last twice and seems sure to employ his normal front-running tactics to good effect once again. He looks the one to beat on the book and could represent some value against the likely Nicholls market leader Bistouri D'honore. The latter is clearly open to major improvement over hurdles after just a couple of starts but he did disappoint last time when comfortably beaten at odds-on and will need to do better here against some battle-hardened types. Quieto Sol makes plenty of appeal from a form perspective but steps up significantly in trip while the promising Pads is another exploring life over 3m for the first time. Both are likely to be in the mix if relishing the additional distance.
Shantou Tiger (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Led, ridden before 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Kentucky Star (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Quieto Sol (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Winning Spark (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Bistouri D'honore (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Prominent, led 5th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 6 1/4l behind Laugharne (10-12) at Taunton 3m (4) gf in Dec.
Pads (IRE) 18-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, stayed on well after last, never nearer, 4th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Nietzsche (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Bowie (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Nietzsche (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Rocklim (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, dist behind Rowdy Rocher (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Sammy B 20-1 (11-7) Led and set steady pace, narrowly headed 4th, chased leader until 4 out, chased leaders, weakening when mistake 2 out, 8th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Midnight Cowboy (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Apachee Prince (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders until 4th, soon in rear, soon tailed off, soon pulled up, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Calin Du Brizais (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd when fell 6th, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
