always behind
pulled hard, led to approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden clear 2 out, ran on
chased clear leaders to 5th, soon weakened
pulled hard, with leader, led approaching 5th, headed and weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, headway and not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, no impression
held up, headway 5th, went second approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
behind, some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous
mistakes, always towards rear
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
held up and pulled hard, hit 3rd, mistake 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Sharaab can make experience count against Granite Man, with Sunday City and Adalar others to note. Sharaab has to carry a penalty here after his victory over another Jonjo O'Neill inmate Spuradich at Worcester just over three weeks ago. He appeared far too resilient for the odds-on favourite that day and that augurs well for his chance against the potentially useful Granite Man. The latter threw away a winning bumper opportunity at Stratford when running very wide on the home turn, and is sure to have been well schooled for his debut over hurdles. However there is no substitute for experience and he may well end up playing second fiddle again. Sunday City is an interesting newcomer from the Richard Fahey yard. Punted on on more than than one occasion on the Flat, he was a bit too headstrong for his own good and failed to open his account. Maybe a spell over hurdles will straighten him out and he has no better taskmaster than Tony McCoy. Paul D'Arcy rarely gets involved in the jumps scene so Adalar is worth noting as well, although he too has found life difficult on the Flat. We much prefer the claims of Sharaab.
Sharaab (USA) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 5th, led 2 out, ran on well, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf beating Spuradich (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Adalar (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) In touch to 4th, behind when hit next, 8th of 14, 17l behind Three Ships (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m amt nov hdl (E) gf in May.
Bestam 16-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Mister Moussac (10-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Dr Cerullo 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, ridden after next, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 23l behind Woody Valentine (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gs in Dec.
Granite Man (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) With winner until ridden 4f out, ran wide on bend over 2f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Finns Cross (11-4) at Stratford 2m nhf (H) gd.
Pick of The Crop 100-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 6th, weakened quickly and eased approaching 2 out, 11th of 14, 35l behind Anticipating (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (E) gf.
Sunday City (JPN) 9-4fav (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Love Angel (8-4) at York 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf (Flat).
Lady Ellendune 25-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, last of 20, 28l behind Jackie Kiely (9-12) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Aug (Flat).
