chased leaders on inside, hampered 2nd, ridden before 2 out, went 2nd last, ridden and every chance when drew level run-in, just held
held up in rear, badly hampered and brought down 2nd
chasing leaders when fell 2nd
held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, never on terms after
held up towards rear, badly hampered 2nd, kept on from 2 out, went 4th run-in
took keen hold, chased leaders, 2nd before 2 out, every chance when hit 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened last
last pair, headway on wide outside into 3rd approaching 2 out, 2nd 2 out, chance when went right and hit last, no extra run-in
chased leader, led after 3 out, strongly pressed run-in, battled on gamely to assert close home
led until ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened before next
Irish Hawke beat a subsequent winner at Sedgefield in August and a 6lb rise is largely negated by Lorcan Murtagh’s claim. But the winners have dried up a little for Donald McCain so we’ll stick with the in-form SHRUBLAND, who is unbeaten since joining his current stable and has been doing just enough in similar races, though an 11lb hike in the weights has done him no favours. Bollin Line has only won a seller so far while Cosmic Diamond was still beaten 13 lengths when second off this mark at Stratford in May.
Shrubland 9-4fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway before 2 out, led last, kept on, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Bohernagore (10-11) by nk, 14 ran.
Bollin Line 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before last, soon in 3rd place, kept on, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Cherry Princess (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Winido 33-1 (11-11) In touch in mid-division, closed when hampered 3rd, not fluent next, challenged 3 out, soon disputing lead, headed before 2 out, hanging left before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 8 1/4l behind Market Road (10-10) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in May.
Clay Allison (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, dropped to 16th approaching straight, soon no extra, 18th of 24, 29 1/4l behind Nobody Home (11-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp gd in May.
Irish Hawke (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out to chase leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led last, held on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Mathayus (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Osgood 14-1 (11-1) Held up, blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Midnight Gypsy 50-1 (10-11) Jumped right in rear, mistake 4th, behind next, pulled up before 2 out, at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Cosmic Diamond 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, reminders before 4th, headway before 6th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Bitter Virtue (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in May.
Romann Angel 6-1 (10-10) Jumped right, led until 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Mr Mafia (11-8) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
