mid-division, dropped rear halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
mid-division, headway halfway, tracking leaders 3 out, effort last, every chance flat, kept on
in touch, headway and effort 2 out, weakened flat
chased leaders, led 8th, headed 11th, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
held up in rear, headway halfway and in touch, chased winner when not fluent 2 out, one pace flat
soon towards rear, hit 7th, stayed on from 3 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, headed 8th, blundered 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch to halfway
held up in rear, headway 13th and in touch, effort approaching last, led briefly flat, kept on
tracked leaders, led 10th, ridden approaching last, headed briefly flat, stayed on strongly
The hat trick seeking Harrovian is bound to have his backers but a 9lb rise for his latest defeat of the non-staying Why The Big Paws over course and distance last time looks harsh and preference is for Shannon's Pride, who gets the vote over King's Bounty. The selection was a shade unfortunate at Market Rasen last time, remains unexposed and, while a softer surface would probably be ideal, looks worth a bet in a race that may not be that competitive. Top weight Be My Manager has dropped to a winning mark but has given little sign of encouragement of late. Similar comments apply to the 11-year-old Ardent Scout and of more interest may be Howard Johnson's Fields Of Home, who was still in contention when falling behind another of today's rivals Rosie Redman at Doncaster in November when last seen. Ferdy Murphy's Haut de Gamme is another worthy of a mention but may be a shade high in the weights at present and a bigger threat may come from King's Bounty. Tim Easterby's gelding has run well off a similar mark previously this season and should again be thereabouts but Shannon's Pride remains open to further improvement and is preferred.
