tracked leader, lost place halfway, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway and in touch 11th, mistake next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, led after 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, one pace run in
led, mistake and headed 12th, remained close up, effort 3 out, left 3rd next, weakened
held up in touch, headway halfway, led 12th, headed after 3 out, close 2nd when blundered badly and unseated rider next
tracked leaders, closed up 3 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway 9th to track leaders, mistake next, soon lost place, left remote 4th 2 out
Although there is a concern that this may come too soon after his recent course and distance success in testing conditions, Shardante has to be the choice against some moderate opposition with Keiran and Wonder Weasel looking the biggest dangers. The selection has shown steady improvement with each start this term and won with plenty in hand when scoring here 10 days ago. A 14lb rise for that success looks harsh but this is a much weaker race and Sue Smith's gelding should be too good for main rival Keiran, who won here in November but has struggled in two starts since then. Kim Bailey's Wonder Weasel has failed to complete in his last two appearances but is better treated now than for some time. He makes more appeal than Man On The Hill, who hails from the out of form stable of Ferdy Murphy. After an encouraging reappearance, Mary Reveley's Malek has given no indication that he would be good enough to win a race of this nature since, while Jungle Jinks has shown very little in any of his starts this term. A bigger danger may come from recent Chepstow third Wain Mountain now that Jim Old's horses are back in form but for the selection we stick with course and distance winner Shardante.
