Shrewd was expected to run at Doncaster yesterday but would be the one to beat if turning up here instead. In his expected absence, the race become more competitive as Imada won at Ayr before disappointing at Huntingdon but may struggle giving so much weight to BERKSHIRE DOWNS, second again at Carlisle last month but well clear of the third Dubai Celebrity. Point-to-point winner Misfits did not fare too badly in a bumper last time and could give a good account on his hurdling bow.
Shrewd 5-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway on inside approaching 3 out, challenged last, soon led, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb beating Vendor (11-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Imada (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace before next, 4th of 16, 17 1/4l behind Expedite (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Ash Park (IRE) 150-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 3rd, lost place briefly after 6th, closed next, led before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten before last, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Waiting Patiently (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Jan.
Been Decided (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and behind from 5th, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Dakota Grey (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Feb.
Byronegetonefree 4-1jfav (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened well over 2f out, 8th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Coorg (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Heilan Rebel (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always in rear, mistake and reminder 7th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Impulsive American (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Misfits (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway under pressure over 3f out, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace in 3rd final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 12, 10 1/4l behind Sammy B (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m (6) gs in Jan.
Ping (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Mid-division, struggling 3 out, well beaten when blundered 2 out, plugged on to take remote 4th after last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 13, dist behind William Of Orange (11-5) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Berkshire Downs 11-8fav (10-10) Led until not fluent 3rd, stayed handy, challenged 5th, 3rd and one pace 2 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Dakota Grey (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Feb.
Sweet Holly 6-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 4th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Ascot De Bruyere (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Dubai Celebrity 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 5th, every chance 2 out, 3rd and beaten before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 26l behind Dakota Grey (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Feb.
