led, driven and headed before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair before last
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, no impression in 4th before last
tracked leader, led before 2 out, ridden and headed flat, not pace of winner final 75 yards
keen early, held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway when hit 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to challenge when hit last, led flat, ran on well final 75 yards
held up in rear, struggling 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders to after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
SPIRIT OF SHANKLY was an odds-on favourite when beaten here and at Ludlow last season but he remains a novice of some potential and can finally get off the mark here receiving 7lb from three of the four previous winners in the race. Benefit Cut won at Kempton in April while Odin is proving consistent and has been holding his own in handicap company but Oyster Shell is probably more interesting, despite finding a couple too good when favourite here in May. Dubai Kiss makes his hurdling debut but still looks the pick of the remainder.
Benefit Cut (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 2nd, led and hit 4th, pushed clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Pearls Legend (11-12) by 6l, 18 ran.
Odin (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, unable to quicken, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind West Brit (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Oyster Shell Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 5th, challenged 3 out, every chance when mistake last, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Bowie (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Dubai Kiss 10-1 (11-4) Held up in last, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 25l behind Regal Diamond (11-2) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gs in Apr.
Spirit Of Shankly 1-6fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led between 3 out and 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Gee Hi (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Storey Hill (USA) 66-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 9l behind Little Jimmy Odsox (9-9) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul (flat).
Volcanic Jack (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 2nd until next where pecked slightly, went 2nd again 5th until after 2 out, no extra before last, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Kettlewell (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Hardwick Bay 100-1 (10-5) Held up behind leaders, hit 4th, ridden before 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Purple 'n Gold (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
