took keen hold, tracked leader, led 2nd, mistake next, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 3rd, mistake 3 out, every chance before 2 out, 3rd and weakening last
tracked leaders, close up when not fluent 3rd or 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, strong challenged when not fluent 2 out, stayed on, held towards finish
held up, pulled hard, headway 3rd, lost place before 5th, no impression after
tracked leaders, went right 1st, not fluent next or 3rd, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, strongly pressed, ridden and asserted flat
led until not fluent 2nd, bumped 4th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up, in touch 5th, no impression from 3 out
MR SHANTU, third in a jumpers' bumper on the Polytrack last month, is preferred to Fergal O'Brien's bumper winner Son Of Suzie and Taunton fourth John Louis. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding seems to be learning with experience and will have been well schooled. Mister Frosty, second on the Fibresand earlier this month, could make his presence felt while Neighbourhood has won three times on that surface. Points winner Paddocks Lounge looks the pick of the remainder.
John Louis 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 3rd after 3 out, no impression, one pace and well held next, weakened into 4th after last, 4th of 14, 21l behind Milo Man (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Mister Frosty (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Keen tracked leader, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 14l behind Cry Of Freedom (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '11.
Mr Shantu (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, unable to challenge, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Clondaw Banker (10-13) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Neighbourhood (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway into mid-division after 4 out, 6th and beaten when mistake 2 out, 6th of 18, 25l behind Doctor Harper (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Paddocks Lounge (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 4th 6out, prog in 2nd bef 3out, 3l 2nd & no ch with wnr from 2out, kow, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Dr Patmassini (11-4) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in May.
Son Of Suzie 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear leader over 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, led final strides, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Great Choice (11-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Offherocker 100-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 6f out, soon lost place, behind final 5f, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Bute Hall (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f clm stks (6) pol in Jan (flat).
Luckster 50-1 (10-12) Chased leader until 3 out, weakened quickly, last of 14, 44l behind Dawalan (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Spike Mac (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Close up in rear when hit and fell 3rd, in a race won by Destroyer Deployed (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) hvy, 5 ran.
