tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out
in touch, closer order 4th, led approaching 3 out, all out and headed line
held up, ridden 3 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened after
towards rear, ridden 5th, stayed on from 3 out
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, held from 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden 3 out, close up last, no extra
in touch, every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 5th
held up, steady headway from 4 out, joined leaders and hit 2 out, stayed on gamely under pressure and led line
held up, ridden from 3 out, stayed on, unable to challenge
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon lost place
in touch, weakened soon after 4 out
A race that is plating class in all but name and we side with the aptly named SLO MO SHUN against likely market principals, Star Of Germany and Dennick. Course and distance form counts for plenty at Towcester and as one of only two course and distance winners in the field, our eye was immediately drawn to the four-year-old. Granted, her win came in selling class but if getting her own in front at an early juncture, there are strong claims in what is fundamentally a weak race. Star Of Germany would need to reverse that line of form. The hurdler-cum-chaser had not won for four years prior to notching up three during the summer. The drop in trip is likely to prove a divisive point among his potential supporters. Dennick often travels well before delivering little. A placing is not out of the question. Mucho Loco cannot be discounted. Two wins in plating grade have obtained with the minimum fuss and he could be capable of further improvement. Linden Boy hasn't built on promising foundations a few years ago. Transvestite was a fair performer on the flat though his agricultural jumping technique seems to become apparent when put under any sort of pressure. George Baker has had a pretty good opening season by any stretch of the imagination though he'll need to use all his powers of persuasion to get Thistle to consent to putting his best foot forward. Hareem won over 1m6f on the flat for Jamie Osborne and pickings have been slim ever since. Slo Mo Shun is the selection.
Star of Germany (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, lost place when slightly hampered 4th, progress 8th, driven after 4 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 13l behind Jazz Dance (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Thistle 5-1jt-fav (11-8) In touch when brought down 4 out in race won by Nazdaq (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept, 16 ran.
Hareem (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 3rd, tracked leader. lost place 5th, soon behind, 11th of 16, well behind Nazdaq (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
Darwaz (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) In touch, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Wun Chai (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb, 21 ran.
Transvestite (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) In rear, not fluent3rd, headway 3 out, effort next, under pressure when mistake last, no extra, 4th of 16, 9l behind Nazdaq (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
Blast The Past 8-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, in 4th and blundered 2 out, not recover, 9th of 14, well behind Golden Feather (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Linden Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 37l behind Nazdaq (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
Tarkesar (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held-up, jumped slowly 1st, always in rear, 10th of 12, 38l behind Sonic Anthem (11-5) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Great Tsar (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always behind, 13th of 17, well behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Dennick 25-1 (11-12) Led to 3rd, chased clear leader, led 4th until before next, not fluent 6th, mistake 2 out, mistake last, no extra flat, 4th of 16, 6l behind Rawaabet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Sept.
Baarrij 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 6th, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 35l behind Loom (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Barati (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) In touch, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 23l behind Gamma Velorum (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd sll hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Tara Queen 8-1 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Tootsie Too (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Sept, 14 ran.
Mattaking (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) In touch, led 5th, ridden when headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 28l behind Faith And Reason (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sept.
Black Cloud 40-1 (10-0) Mistake 5th, tailed off 6th, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 33l behind Dream Catcher (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Mucho Loco (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway on bit approaching 2 out, led after last, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sept beating Bramantino (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Chunky's Choice (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 6th to approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 14, 47l behind Tootsie Too (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Sept.
Slo Mo Shun 16-1 (9-12) Led, not fluent 6th, headed 3 out, one pace after, 5th of 11, 12l behind Beechwood (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
