led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last and weakened flat
held up, smooth headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and not pace of winner flat
in touch, ridden and weakened from 3 out
held up, smooth headway and every chance when hit 2 out, led approaching last and driven out flat
always behind, lost touch after 4th
tracked leader, went prominent 4th, ridden and still with a chance 2 out, soon weakened
track leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
Shanahan can gain compensation for his near miss at Bangor eight days ago and he is selected ahead of Lutea and Fortunate Dave. Top weight Rossin Gold can also go well but he looks anchored buy the weight today and so passes the mantle of stable hope to Lutea, who has won his last four starts in good style, so has to merit consideration. He is still fairly treated in comparison to his chase rating and looks sure to give another good account of himself. However, Shanahan comes here as an improving type that should not be underestimated. It was perhaps not Richard Johnson's finest moment in the saddle when the gelding was touched off at Bangor last week and, as Johnson will be more than keen to make no mistake on this occasion, we anticipate the partnership will be too tough to master here.
Lutea (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Made all, ridden between last 2, edged right and kept on well flat, won at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jul beating Seeyaaj (10-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Shanahan (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 6th, led approaching 3 out, headed next, rallied run-in, just held, 2nd of 12, shd behind Celticello (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jul.
Fortunate Dave (USA) 11-4fav (11-1) In touch, effort after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Double Deputy (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Gold Gun (USA) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3 out, one pace when mistake 2 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Ashwell (11-6) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Balinahinch Castle (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) In touch, weakening when mistake 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Commercial Express (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Jul, 8 ran.
Kyathos (GER) 15-2 (10-7) Prominent, challenged 2 out, led last, hard ridden and carried slightly right from last, headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, hd behind Mistified (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Kings Square 12-1 (11-1) Led, headed 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jackie Boy (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf, 8 ran.
Rossin Gold (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 2 out to chase leaders, soon ridden, stayed on strongly run in to lead near finish, won at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jun beating Barney (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
