tracked leading pair, travelling well and every chance when not much room on inside and fell 2 out
led, pushed along 16th, driven after 4 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leader, hit 7th, travelling well after 4 out, led 2 out, driven out
in rear, outpaced and no chance from 11th, went poor 4th 13th, left 3rd 2 out, tailed off
hit 1st, chased leading trio, jumped slowly 8th and next, struggling 11th, lost poor 4th at 13th, left 4th 2 out, tailed off
Shoegazer is back over fences for the first time since winning eased-down at Southwell last month but he has to give 4lb to PRINCE TOM, who jumped accurately again when second to Ixora over a shorter trip at Worcester in June having won well here at the end of May. Already successful over 3m over hurdles, Paul Nicholls' charge looks the one to beat today. Johnny's Way won over 2m7f at Worcester in June but more is needed here while Manor Court may just the need experience and Dushy Valley may be out of his depth.
Shoegazer (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th or 5th, went 2nd 8th until before next, led after 3 out, mistake and headed next, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Cygnet (10-1) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd.
Johnny's Way 11-1 (11-12) Led, hit 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Magical Legend (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Prince Tom 7-4fav (11-5) Led, ridden after 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Ixora (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Dushy Valley (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In rear, behind from 5th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Ivan Vasilevich (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Manor Court (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Held up in rear and raced wide, headway on inner halfway, chased winner over 5f out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 5, 20l behind Ashes House (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m nhf (6) sft in Nov.
