tracked leaders, hit 5th, outpaced 3 out, ridden and weakened next
always behind
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression approaching next
held up, headway 6th, went 2nd 3 out, led, going well before next, soon clear, eased flat, comfortably
disputed lead to 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
close up 4th, when fell 5th
made most to 7th, soon lost place, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway to lead 7th, ridden and headed before 2 out, no impression approaching last
behind, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on, no impression
in touch, reminders 3rd, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up after 7th
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
behind, headway 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on
held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd before next, kept on, no chance with winner
A large field goes to post for the finale but on closer inspection there is plenty of dead wood and the principals look to be Dead Mans Dante, Monashee Grey and Shanehill and the confident vote is given to Dead Mans Dante. The selection has been in fair form of late over fences, returns to hurdles off a very lenient mark and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Monashee Grey rates the main danger on her best form but that has been over a much shorter trip and with this in mind he looks opposable. Shanehill is another worthy of respect now, he steps up in trip in first time cheekpieces and he should be watched in the market. Panthers Run has conditions to suit but looks vulnerable under topweight while Talarive has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price with his yard in form, but for the winner we return to the well handicaped Dead Mans Dante.
Panthers Run 16-1 (10-13) Headed 8th, chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 22l behind Earnest (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Monashee Grey (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 12th of 15, well behind My Lady Link (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Talarive (USA) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 17, 19l behind Fortunate Dave (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) In rear, effort on inner 11th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, 28l behind Il Duce (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Shanehill (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led until 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 46l behind Artadi (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) frm in Apr.
Frankincense (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leader, lost place approaching 3 out, behind when unseated rider at the last in race won by Sea Cadet (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 7f ldy hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr, 16 ran.
South Wind Rising (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, kept on same pace from 3 out, 9th of 20, 13l behind Hey Bob (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl gf.
Alpha Juliet (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 7th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Mighty Fine (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gf.
