in touch, led narrowly from 2nd, headed 14th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, reminders after 14th, ridden after 5 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, lost place and no impression next, rallied after last, stayed on well to take 2nd near finish, just held
mistakes, soon behind, lost touch 9th, tailed off next, soon pulled up
held up in touch, tracked leaders 14th, challenged 3 out, led approaching next, ridden and kept on flat, just held on near finish
led 1st to next, tracked leaders, lost place 9th, reminders and struggling after 11th, no danger after, weakened 4 out, tailed off when mistake last
led to 1st, with leader, led 14th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on flat, no extra and dropped to 4th near finish
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 5 out
held up in touch, tracked leaders 14th, effort 3 out, soon chased front pair, ridden and one pace between last 2, stayed on well towards finish, just held
Sue Smith won this last year and with her stable in good form Smooth Stepper, who was totally unfancied on his chasing debut when runner-up at Bangor, is one to keep an eye on. Shimla Dawn looked a nice staying prospect at Carlisle where he jumped well and was always up with the pace. He's only been raised 2lb and that could prove lenient but it's the runner-up CULTRAM ABBEY who can gain revenge despite being no better off. Nicky Richards' charge looks an out-and-out stayer so the longer trip and much softer conditions will be in his favour. Spirit Of Shankly ran in strong company over timber and bounced back from a poor chasing debut at Market Rasen to finish runner-up in what looked a decent novices' contest at Aintree. Wizards Bridge battled on well to score over this trip at Exeter while any further rain will aid the cause of Iora Glas, who needs a thorough test of stamina.
Shimla Dawn (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 4th, led after 7th, pressed from 3 out, kept on gamely run-in, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Cultram Abbey (11-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Spirit Of Shankly 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd 7th until 8th, 2nd again 4 out, every chance 3 out, 1 length down when out-jumped by winner last, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Bally Beaufort (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Wizards Bridge 9-2 (10-10) Prominent, challenged 4 out, led and went left 3 out, headed flat, rallied to lead towards finish, held on, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating St Dominick (10-3) by hd, 9 ran.
U Name It (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) In touch, under pressure 6 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up 4 out, at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) hvy in Nov.
Smooth Stepper 28-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, outpaced 4 out, rallied before 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Coologue (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Cultram Abbey 8-1 (11-0) Made most until after 7th, outpaced 3 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Shimla Dawn (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
The Ramblin Kid 25-1 (10-8) With leader, challenged 4 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 7, 19 1/4l behind Shimla Dawn (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Iora Glas (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Behind, headway 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Jac The Legend (10-3) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Lucematic 11-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, pressed for 2nd near finish, never on terms, 3rd of 4, 14 1/4l behind Leanna Ban (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
