held up, pushed along 5th, driven 6th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off 3 out
led to 2nd, chased winner, driven after 3 out, no impression after 2 out, just held on for 2nd
behind, struggling 3 out
keen, led 2nd, made rest, clear from 2 out, eased near finish
towards rear, reminders 6th, no chance after
took keen hold, chased leaders, challenged 3 out, no chance with winner from next, rallied to press for well held 2nd near finish
chased leaders, stayed on same before last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
SHIPBOARD ROMANCE is the only horse coming in to this contest with any sort of winning form, although Monkhair and Aggravation were not disgraced in their last outings. Shipboard Romance won at Uttoxeter over two miles on good ground earlier in the month beating General Smith by one and three-quarter lengths. On the back of this respectable performance and on conditions that suit, another decent run can be expected. Aggravation is worth watching in this race and may grab a place after a nice hurdling effort at Market Rasen last time out. A commendable challenge by Monkhair on good to firm ground at Towcester when beaten six lengths by Ruby Crown may suggest there is more to offer in today's race. Space Telescope comes from a well regarded yard and Henry Hook has won over the distance before. In a tricky test for the last race of the card our preference is for Shipboard Romance.
Henry Hook (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5th, in rear approaching 7th, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 9, 40l behind Pro Pell (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Space Telescope (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, driven and outpaced after 3 out, plugged on to go moderate 3rd near finish, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 5, 28l behind Sergeant Pink (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hampered after 6th, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led flat, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd beating General Smith (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Boo 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 12l behind Moghaayer (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Cubism 33-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, held up in rear, never nearer, 7th of 11, 16l behind Battle Group (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Danzig Fox 66-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hampererd 1st, tried to duck out right and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Vertueux (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Monkhair (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway after being bumped 3rd, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Ruby Crown (11-12) at Towcester 2m cond hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Troys Steps 9-1 (10-7) Held up on outside, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Pugnacity (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hcp hld 0-95 (5) gf in Mar '09.
Aggravation 40-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Crazy Bold (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Location 9-1 (10-10) Held up, brought down 1st, in a race won by True Britannia (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (4) gf in Sep, 11 ran.
