mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, one pace flat
mid-division, weakened 3 out
behind, struggling halfway, soon tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened after next
not fluent, soon detached, in rear, pulled up after 8th
in touch, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, 4th approaching last, rallied flat, led near finish
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, one pace
led to 4th, tracked leader, disputed lead 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed, no extra near finish
fell 1st
mistake 4th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, 5th when beaten, mistake next
in rear when hampered, unseated rider 1st
behind when blundered, unseated rider 6th
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
Forty Shakes comes here chasing a hat-trick and is taken to score again despite taking a marked drop in trip, with Ifni Du Luc and Junior Fontaine looking the best of the remainder. The selection has been impressive when landing his last two starts and because he travels so well in his races, the drop in trip is not expected to cause too many problems. A course winner, the ground will be ideal and although this contest looks tougher, he looks sure to give his running. Ifni Du Luc was rated 130 at his best over hurdles and showed he retains plenty of ability when scoring at Bangor Points last month. Trainer and jockey teamed up to good effect at the festival and the pair should go close today. Junior Fontaine was another decent chaser in his prime and he also won well last time out at Easingwold, although what he beat that day is open to debate. Ghadames finished lame when a disappointing favourite at Ayr recently but if on top of his game he would be a major threat, whilst at a price Gangsters R Us could go well if fit after his long absence. This looks an open contest however we will side with Forty Shakes to continue his rich vein of form and complete the hat-trick.
Forty Shakes (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, chased leaders 10th, led on bridle after last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (6) gd beating Rebel Army (12-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
Magic Route (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Held up, headway halfway, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind John Diamond (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Mikasa (IRE) 16-1 (12-7) Chsd ldrs; went 2nd 11; no ch when fell in race won by Engaged (12-3) at Dalston 3m ptp gd, 9 ran.
Astronaut 16-1 (12-5) Chsd ldrs til wknd aft 13; t.o & pulled up in race won by Eskimo Jack (12-5) at Netherby Park 3m ptp hvy in Feb, 13 ran.
Fifth Column (USA) 18-1 (11-2) Led, joined 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, beaten when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Plutocrat (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (5) gd, 9 ran.
Gabla (NZ) 16-1 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 9; led 11-15; wknd 3 out, 7th of 10, 44l behind Trooper Collins (12-0) at Charm Park 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Gangsters R Us (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) fell in race won by Wee William (11-9) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Ghadames (FR) 5-2 (12-0) Behind, headway and every chance 12th, ridden when weakened next, beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Encore Cadoudal (12-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hts chs (6) hvy, 5 ran.
Junior Fontaine (FR) 7-2 (12-5) Held up; hdwy 7; 2nd/3rd frm 11; led last; rdn out, won at Easingwold 3m ptp gf in Apr beating Major Shark (12-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Nomadic Ice 8-1 (12-5) Jnd ldrs 8; wknd qckly 13, 4th of 7, 24l behind Freeway (12-5) at Hexham Points 3m ptp sft in May.
Nominate (GER) 5-1 (12-0) (tt) prog 15; wknd 3 out; pulled up in race won by Fergal's Find (12-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Jan, 17 ran.
Vital Spark 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 15, well behind Waking Ned (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Waltzing Along (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Swerved right start, raced keenly in rear, lost touch 8th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Waking Ned (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Wrapitup (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) W ldrs to 9; wknd 11; pulled up in race won by San Francisco (11-0) at Charm Park 3m ptp gd, 9 ran.
Ifni du Luc (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Hdwy 5; qcknd to ld 13; lft wl clr 2 out, won at Bangor Points 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Hever Road (12-7) by 20l, 9 ran.
