led to 7th, led again before last, kept on well, driven out
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, hit next
with leaders, led 7th, blundered 10th, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, weakened before 10th
in rear, went 4th before 7th, chased winner last, kept on
towards rear, headway to go 3rd from 6th, not fluent 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in
close up, pushed along before 9th, outpaced before 2 out, kept on from last
With a record of no wins in 20 starts over fences, Irish raider Imperial Shabra is probably one to steer clear of though he has often taken on some of the best. Surf And Turf wouldn't have been far away had he not fallen at the last at Warwick and still has a bit of scope over the larger obstacles, but Downward Spiral appears to be living up to his name and Edlomond's jumping leaves a little to be desired. Tara Warrior and Jeanry may need this so that leaves ON GOSSAMER WINGS. He shot up in the weights after winning easily at Catterick in November but wasn't disgraced in a follow up attempt at the same track and may just have needed last month's run at Musselburgh. Lucy Alexander takes off 5lb here so he gets the vote.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Led, joined 3 out, ridden approaching straight, headed and dropped to 3rd last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Slieveardagh (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs gd.
Downward Spiral (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon left poor 4th, no impression, 5th of 11, 39l behind Pensnett Bay (10-9) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Surf And Turf (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked winner, in 3rd and pushed along before 2 out, ridden and disputing a close 2nd when fell last, in a race won by Russian Conquest (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Feb, 5 ran.
Tara Warrior (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, stayed on under presssure from last, 5th of 15, 6l behind Sentimentaljourney (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Edlomond (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up last until blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Akarshan (12-0) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 5 ran.
Jeanry (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, headway before 10th, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Quincy Des Pictons (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
On Gossamer Wings (IRE) 5-4fav (10-1) Led, headed 6th, chased winner, ridden after 5 out, lost 2nd 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Red Tanber (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
