in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened at next
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden and disputed 2nd 3 out until after last, one pace
made all, shaken up approaching 2 out, ridden clear approaching last
held up, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along after 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened
behind, mistake 1st, soon reminders, never dangerous
tracked leaders, disputed 2nd 3 out until chased winner after last, no impression
held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders until pushed along and lost place 5th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
Shortlisted are Sir Jimmy Shand, Carnival Town and Mount Sandel; selected is Sir Jimmy Shand. Sir Jimmy Shand looked a very good prospect when scoring on his seasonal return at Folkestone - he had earlier done well in bumpers - and he looks to hold strong claims today. Having been beaten a short head by Leading Contender at Chepstow last time - having beaten the same horse over the same course and distance the time before - Carnival Town represents strong novice form and has to be considered, as does Mount Sandel, whose win from Evelith Forest (check how that horse ran at Folkestone on Tuesday) and third to Bleak House before that, rates as very good form. Of the others, It's All In The Stars' narrow Lingfield second to Fleurette last time came back in 2005 and the winner has not franked it particularly well since; Just Supposin's Bangor bumper debut second displayed promise, and the betting might provide some clues with regard to others. That said, for the selection, we are more than happy to side with Sir Jimmy Shand.
Carnival Town 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on to challenge flat, just denied, 2nd of 11, shd behind Leading Contender (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Mount Sandel (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Evelith Forrest (10-5) by 4l, 12 ran.
Sir Jimmy Shand (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Made most, drew well clear between last 2, easily, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Buckland Gold (11-0) by 16l, 8 ran.
Auburn Grey 100-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 8th of 10, 42l behind My Turn Now (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft.
City Breeze (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and outpaced 4f out, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Lamanver Homerun (9-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Jun.
Duke of Kentford 50-1 (11-0) Chased leader to 3rd, under pressure before 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 34l behind Sobers (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Earth World (IRE) Fourstars Allstar gelding out of an unraced mare.
It's In The Stars 6-1 (11-0) Made most, ridden and joined 2 out, narrowly headed soon after last, rallied well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Fleurette (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) hvy in Nov '05.
Just Supposin 9-2 (10-5) Mid-division, headway to lead over 4f out, headed over 3f out, one pace, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Closed Shop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Or Sing About (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 13, 28l behind Vinando (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Rydal Park (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Hampered start, tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 17l behind Only For Sue (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Sea Eagle (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 5th, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 22l behind Beau Michel (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Southern Classic 20-1 (10-9) Prominent, chased leader 4th until weakened 3 out, hit 2 out, 3rd of 14, well behind Mars Rock (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Supreme Royal (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until halfway, soon behind, last of 12, well behind Carlitos (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Troglodyte 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 5f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Oponce (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, 42l behind Sizing Europe (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
