chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, every chance 2f out, kept on for 2nd, not pace of winner inside final furlong
steadied start, took keen hold in rear, headway on outside over 4f out, pushed along 3f out, hung right over 2f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
took keen hold, chased leaders, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leader until weakened over 4f out, soon behind
held up and always towards rear
raced alone on inside, steadied start, took keen hold towards rear, headway and squeezed through on inside bend 4f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not pace of winner
led, pushed along and headed 4f out, stayed chasing leaders until weakened under pressure over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace over 1f out
held up towards rear, no impression when slightly hampered on bend 4f out, soon beaten
raced wide in touch, headway over 4f out, chased leaders 3f out, ridden and one pace when hung right over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on outside 6f out, ridden 4f out, soon outpaced, plugged on again inside final furlong, never a threat
SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR is by Accordion and a half-brother to several bumper winners. He could be called the winner a long way out on his racecourse debut at Ffos Las and is fancied to take this step up in grade in his considerable stride. Josh's Dreamway ran well in a similar contest at Cheltenham last month and has to go on the short-list again while Scholastica has already won at Uttoxeter and Bangor this year. Claret Cloak was impressive at Wincanton and is another consider but this looks a big ask for Huntingdon scorer Greenlaw and easy Newcastle winner Ifandbutwhynot is taking on much better opposition today. Golden Firebird was long odds-on to land a mares' event at Folkestone last time but never looked like winning and this is a lot more competitive.
Claret Cloak (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, steady headway 4f out, joined leader going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, easily, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov beating Rally The Troops (11-4) by 6l, 17 ran.
Greenlaw 13-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on final furlong, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct beating Brandon Thomas (10-9) by 4l, 14 ran.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5f out, led on bit before 1f out, soon clear, hard held, won at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Nov beating Talkin Thomas (10-9) by 9l, 15 ran.
Laughton Park Karinga Bay gelding out of Brass Castle.
My Friend Riquet (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Keen early, rdn aftr 5out & wknd to rr pu 2out, in a race won by Dannanceys Hill (11-7) at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp gs in Apr, 9 ran.
Piano Concerto (USA) 5-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Peintre Ster (11-4) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (6) std in Nov.
Power Man (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden and badly outpaced as pace lifted over 4f out, ridden and progress over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd approaching final furlong, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Circular Quay (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Held up, headway to track leader going well 6f out, led 4f out, clear 2f out, idled final furlong, comfortable, won at Ffos Las 2m nhf (6) sft in Nov beating Laflammedeglorie (11-0) by 16l, 8 ran.
The Jugopolist (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until over 12f out and again 6f out, led over 3f out, headed 1f out, held by winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Court Minstrel (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn NH flat (5) gd in Nov.
Golden Firebird (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Held up in 5th on inside, headway 5f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and no impression when switched left to stands side rail approaching final furlong, kept on, always held, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Midnight Minx (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) gd in Nov.
Josh's Dreamway (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind One Term (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m Listed NH flat (1) gs in Nov.
Scholastica 4-1 (11-3) Held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leader, led approaching final furlong, hard driven, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) gs in Nov beating Brave Alliance (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Vegas Cash (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Close up, ridden to chase leading pair over 3f out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Shutthefrontdoor (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m nhf (6) sft in Nov.
