held up in touch, outpaced 12th, soon beaten, tailed off 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 3rd when mistake 4 out, went left 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression when went left again last
pressed leader, led 10th, not fluent 4 out, headed next, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure, no impression before last
tracked leading pair, joined leader 12th, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well
led to 10th, in touch, lost place 4 out, weakened 2 out
A winner at Musselburgh on New Year's Day, MR MOONSHINE made all to follow-up at Warwick three weeks ago. He beat subsequent winner Persian Snow on that occasion so Sue Smith's chaser looks to have every chance of landing a treble on that form. Kruzhlinin has a 6lb disadvantage to make up with the selection. But he's not easily dismissed as he recorded a double over track and trip at the end of last year that included a defeat of Maggio. Scotswell has plenty to find on today's terms but Opening Batsman has the past form to figure if rediscovering his best.
Opening Batsman (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway to chase leaders after 4th, lost place 8th, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Mister Dillon (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Kruzhlinin (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 16l behind The Rainbow Hunter (10-9) at Doncaster 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Jan.
Mr Moonshine (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Made all, pressed before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Persian Snow (10-5) by 4l, 7 ran.
Maggio (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 9th, challenged when hit 4 out, every chance last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Benvolio (11-4) at Haydock 2m 5f grd chs (5yo+) (2) hvy in Jan.
Scotswell 15-2 (10-12) Led, mistake 15th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Royale Knight (10-3) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.