held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leading pair 2f out until lost place towards finish
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, soon led, driven out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, not quickened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, some headway 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, went 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, lost 3rd 2f out, regained 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approachin 4 out
Shiwawa could be anything but carrying twelve stone on this comeback after two years off could be tricky; CLOUDY TIMES has some good form in the book and is the selection ahead of Colombard, Lord Ragnar and China Gold. A winner at Haydock on his debut, this Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding has a bright future ahead of him, ultimately over fences. His subsequent fourth in the Champion Bumper here reads well and he is fancied to take this. Connections have displayed plenty of patience with the talented Shiwawa who landed all three of his bumper runs in 2006, Pontop and Paddys Honour have both shown ability, whilst Choctaw Nation and China Gold both won on their debuts. The newcomers abound with promise: Lord Ragnar is very well-related and fetched 305,000 euros as a four-year-old, Colombard represents the top stable, whilst Mad Moose is related to the very useful bumper performer Den Of Iniquity and the stable won this race two years ago. Another race of the highest standard with preference for Cloudy Times.
China Gold 3-1 (11-9) Prominent, chased winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Conflictofinterest (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (3) gd in Apr.
Choctaw Nation 4-1co-fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5f out, led 2f out, ran green, ridden clear final furlong, ran on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May beating Johny Scruff (10-12) by 8l, 15 ran.
Cloudy Times (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden well over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 20, 8l behind Honest John (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Pontop (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, stayed on to lead last strides, won at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in May beating Rubys Cove (10-11) by a shd, 14 ran.
Ange Ou Demon (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Headway 7f out to chase leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 21, 17l behind Sunsetten (10-12) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Jan.
Colombard (FR) Trempolino gelding out of Question Francaise.
Fabalu (IRE) (12-0) won at Bandon 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating The Midnight Club (12-0) by 6l, 17 ran.
Flight Wigeon Classic Cliche gelding out of Ivengica.
Fov (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 9th of 15, 32l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Lord Ragnar (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Shaiymara.
Mad Moose (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Sheshollystar.
Paddys Honour (IRE) 125-1 (10-11) In touch, headway over 4f out, chased winner final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Little Josh (11-6) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs.
Persian Tonic (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always in rear, last of 13, 39l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Shiwawa 1-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gf in Sept '06 beating Linagram (10-7) by 6l, 13 ran.
Le Platino (GER) 15-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, won at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec beating Lady Rapido (10-4) by 6l, 15 ran.
The Portonion (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) With winner, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 15, 20l behind Little Josh (11-6) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs.
