led to 4th, lost 2nd place 7th, reminders after 8th, chased winner before 9th, beaten before 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders 4th and soon in rear, went remote 3rd from 5 out, never dangerous
in rear and in touch, went 2nd from 7th, blundered 8th, soon lost 2nd place, soon tailed off
with leader, led from 4th, clear from 5 out, canter
Shantou Tiger returns to the larger obstacles for the first time since the New Year's Day 2016, having been hurdling with a fair degree of consistency, including a Bangor success last autumn. Previous forays over fences will serve him well but chasing recruit ELUSIVE THEATRE is just preferred. The Crawford mare handles all ground types well, has some useful hurdling form in the book and has potential for further improvement. She is also a point-to-point winner and Brian Hughes is booked. Sussex Road and Beech Hill will have to improve dramatically to trouble the main protagonists if all put in a clear round.
Shantou Tiger (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 25 1/4l behind Riddlestown (11-12) at Towcester 3m hcp (4) gf in May.
Sussex Road (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4th, lost place next, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out,, at Towcester 2m hcp (5) gs in May.
Beech Hill (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Alw pr, 3rd 5out & 2out, no impr bef last, ko, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Corella Creek (11-11) at Necarne 3m mdn gs in May.
Elusive Theatre (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 13, 6 1/2l behind Jennys Melody (10-10) at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
