prominent, chased leader 3 out, led approaching 2 out, shaken up flat, easily
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and chased winner 2 out, kept on same pace
held up last, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
pulled early in mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
led, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, mistake and weakened last
It is hard to get away from SHAMARI in the finale and he is nominated to get the better of In Vino and High Carol. This is not a strong race and there is little doubt that the selection brings the best form to the table. He was well beaten last time but that was in a much better race than this and prior to that he had won in good style. In Vino produced his best run yet last time out when he chased home Special Occasion over this course and distance. He is now qualified for a handicap mark and that is where his future may lie. High Carol is unexposed but he will need to improve if he is to make his mark today. This is a race that lacks strength in depth and the vote is given to Shamari.
Shamari (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Close up, effort after 3 out, soon beaten, last of 8, 15l behind Medermit (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
High Carol (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 12th of 13, 43l behind Eradicate (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
In Vino 15-2 (11-1) Held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden behind leaders approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Special Occasion (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Oddshoes (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 5th, narrowly headed when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Ainama (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Skip The Present (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) In rear, raced keenly, behind from 4th, 11th of 15, well behind Burton Port (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
You Can of Course (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, lost touch 5th, 9th of 12, well behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Hobb's Dream (IRE) 200-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Aachen (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Play A Cord (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, well behind Tullamore Dew (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
