held up, chased leaders 5f out, led 1f out, driven out
tracked leader, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden approaching 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, chased leaders 5f out, no impression 2f out
held up, chased leaders over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, weakened over 3f out
held up in touch, weakened approaching 4f out
led and soon clear, ridden approaching 2f out, headed final furlong, kept on
held towards rear, outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
held up mid-division, chased leaders halfway, weakened 3f out
Even less public form here than there was for the previous race on the card, and the market, plus a look at the runners from stables doing well in this sphere is the best advice. SHREWD INVESTMENT gets the vote, while Highland Valley and Rock Classic can go well. The selection, trained by Alan King, cost just £8,000 as a three-year-old, and his dam was an unraced sister to Zaffaranni, who was successful over staying trips both hurdling and chasing, while she was also related to both Lightning Strikes and Santabless, who enjoyed success over timber. With the stable's reputation in contests like this and their current form good, we will side with the gelding to score first time. Highland Valley is another related to hurdle winners and conditions should suit Emma Lavelle's charge, who is another likely to be straight enough to get involved. Rock Classic clearly did not impress in the sales ring and is harder to be confident about as a result, but he also has a decent pedigree and the market might help us with his chance. Seismic Wave is a half-brother to winners over both hurdles and fences in France and should relish the cut in the ground. He should be capable of getting closely involved, while the same goes for Mr Navigator. An informative contest can be taken by Shrewd Investment.
Highland Valley (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Loch Lomond.
Island News 66-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 18, 22l behind Mizzurka (10-6) at Newbury 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Mr Navigator Alflora gelding out of Society News.
Rock Classic Classic Cliche gelding out of Mellow Gold.
Whatshallwedo Zindabad gelding out of Key West.
Boosha Sir Harry Lewis mare out of Musical Vocation.
Shared Secret Riverwise mare out of Shared-interest.
Blue Theme 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after 3f until 7f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 13th of 14, 43l behind Tetlami (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f 3yo nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Lock Keeper (IRE) Great Palm gelding out of Sureshewill.
Seismic Wave (FR) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Elione.
Shrewd Investment Beauchamp King gelding out of Zaffarimbi.
Cruise In Style (IRE) Definite Article filly out of Henrietta Street.
