mid-division, reminders after 6th and 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression
held up, chased leaders 5 out, soon ridden, weakening when blundered 2 out and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, ridden 13th, soon beaten and blundered badly 2 out
tracked leaders, going well when pulled up quickly after 12th, lame
prominent, led 11th until joined approaching and fell 5 out
mid-division, close up 14th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, blundered badly 2 out, soon one pace
led until blundered and headed 11th, led again approaching 5 out, ridden and joined next, kept on gamely run-in
always behind, hit 7th, ridden approaching 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A competitive race on paper and Shardakhan is selected ahead of Raining Horse and Robin De Sherwood. The selection hasn't been particularly well served by the handicapper but he is progressive enough and jumps well under current conditions. Raining Horse can cope on this surface although he may be better with faster ground. That said, he has done nothing wrong in his recent races and is very much one to be on the right side of. Robin De Sherwood won well at Taunton although compromised that impression with a poor round at Fontwell. A first time tongue tie is applied. Ma Yahab handles the ground adequately and was not disgraced at Kelso last time out. Ballabriggs takes a step up in grade having beaten weaker opposition in some style. Scarvagh Diamond's form looks ordinary at first glance but she has taken on fair opposition in the past and she is likely to be popular with the Nicky Richards supporters. Sherwoods Folly is best of the rest. Shardakhan faces a tough assignment giving weight all around but he looks up to it.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden 12th, soon outpaced, 8th of 17, 34l behind Oedipe (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
Robin De Sherwood (FR) 7-4 (11-4) Mistakes, tracked leaders, hit 11th, ridden after 4 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 3, 6l behind Burren Legend (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Ma Yahab 7-4jt-fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, effort 4 out, close up next, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely flat, just failed, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Gypsy George (11-4) at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy.
Star Player (IRE) 6-1fav (10-12) In touch, headway 11th, led 3 out, edged right and stayed on well flat, won at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar beating Merigo (10-9) by 3l, 16 ran.
Raining Horse (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Set steady pace, headed 7th, remained with leader, led 2 out, 4 lengths up when left clear last, easily, won at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Kalmo Bay (11-11) by 22l, 4 ran.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) In touch, headway 12th, led 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Bangor 3m beg chs (4) sft in Mar beating Contact Dancer (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Merigo (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Not fluent in touch, headway 10th, hit next, outpaced 13th, jumped right 4 out, ridden and kept on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Star Player (10-12) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Surricate (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Led until headed 10th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 5th of 9, 34l behind Or de Grugy (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (4) sft.
Shardakhan (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, joined leader after 11th, shaken up to lead approaching 3 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Chepstow 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Mar beating Leading Authority (11-8) by 18l, 5 ran.
Sherwoods Folly 25-1 (11-11) Towards rear when fell at the 8th in race won by Old Benny (11-7) at Cheltenham 4m nov amt chs (2) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Alfasonic 4-1 (11-0) Track leader, driven 8th, mistake and lost place 10th, tailed off 15th, 6th of 8, well behind Leading Attraction (10-9) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Mar.
Scarvagh Diamond (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (11-3) Mid-division until weakened 13th, 7th of 15, 35l behind Strawberry (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs hcp chs (1) sft in Mar.
