led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
behind, headway 7th, ridden approaching last, led flat, ran on
mid-division, headway 4th, hit 6th, ridden after next, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace flat
reminders 1st, always behind
held up, headway 6th, ridden after 7th, led 2 out, headed and not quicken flat
held up, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, not fluent 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
in touch, lost place and hit 4th, behind when mistake 6th
prominent, with leaders when went lame and pulled up before 6th
behind, pushed along approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, never nearer
in touch, bumped and saddle slipped 1st, soon pulled up
keen, mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace flat
prominent, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
This should not take a great deal of winning and Shamsan looks to have been given a suitable opportunity to resume winning ways with Big Max and Mister Completely rated the main dangers. The selection was good value for his win at Huntingdon two starts ago and, although disappointing here subsequently, Jack Joseph's nine-year-old may be worth another chance in this lowly company. Iceberge has only had two starts since winning at Stratford in October and may struggle to give weight away all round, while Coppermalt faces no easy task at the weights. Derreen Boy is difficult to recommend on recent evidence and of more interest may be Big Max. Karen George's gelding ran better in this grade last time and has to be considered on that evidence, while Mister Completely is less exposed over hurdles than most of these and could be of interest. Shamsan has solid claims on the pick of his form though and he gets the vote to make amends for his last time out defeat.
Iceberge (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 6, 16l behind Rushneeyriver (10-12) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Lupin (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Youlbesolucky (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (5) gf in Jul, 11 ran.
Derreen Boy (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division when pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Terramarique (10-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jul, 12 ran.
Mister Completely (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden after 6th, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 23l behind Tagula Blue (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Shamsan (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 24l behind Dancing Hill (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul.
Coppermalt (USA) 12-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, no further impression from next, 5th of 14, 16l behind Zeloso (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Island Warrior (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Chased leaders to 6th, 10th of 15, 27l behind Petwick (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Big Max 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Northaw Lad (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
