led 1st, jumped left next, headed and not fluent 3rd, jumped left 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, jumped left 1st, headway 5th, close up 2 out, 2nd last, no impression on winner
led until 1st, stayed handy, not fluent 3rd, led after 6th, headed 2 out, hung left after last, no extra
mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway after 6th, 5th 3 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on winner
towards rear, behind 6th
held up in mid-division on outside, closed 3rd, challenged 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra flat
tracked leaders, wandered into 1st, jumped left and not fluent next, soon lost place, mistake 4th, pulled up after 6th
prominent, led 3rd, headed after 6th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 1st, hampered when not fluent next, weakened after 6th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, clear last, impressive
in rear, not fluent when behind 6th
took keen hold, held up in rear, behind 6th
mid-division, took keen hold, closed 3rd, lost place when not fluent next, soon struggling
AL SHAHIR (NAP) travelled strongly on his hurdling debut at Newton Abbot but didn't quite have the pace of the winner. The third won at Taunton on Wednesday to frank the form and Dan Skelton's charge can go one better today. Eskendash was unlucky not to win a bumper last season and landed an all-weather maiden in March so should make a hurdler. Kalashnikov won a bumper here in March while Jacbequick and Big Time Dancer are potentially-useful recruits from the Flat. There are also possibilities about Ballymoy while Alfiboy led until falling here last month, though the form of that race hasn't worked out.
Alfiboy 4-1 (10-12) Led until fell 4 out, at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Al Shahir (IRE) 11-8 (10-12) Tracked winner 1st until after 2nd, stayed handy, went 2nd again before 2 out, stayed on, unable to get on terms, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Maria's Benefit (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Ballymoy (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, effort to challenge on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Simply The Betts (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in Sep.
Big Time Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Ingleby Hollow (9-4) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Bogardus (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Spirit Of The Vale (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Calypso Delegator (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Beyond The Clouds (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Eskendash (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Seniority (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
God Willing 11-2 (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Boots And Spurs (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Heather Burning (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, 9th of 12, 31 1/2l behind Slanelough (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Hooves The Daddy (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) In rear, ridden and struggling over 6f out, tailed off final 4f, 9th of 10, dist behind Holryale (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) gs in May.
Instant Replay (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 34 1/2l behind Coole Hall (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Jacbequick 16-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 18, dist behind Grand Inquisitor (9-0) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Wetherby 2m (5) gs in Mar beating Minella Warrior (11-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
Stay In Touch (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 12, 27 3/4l behind Slanelough (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Stoneboat Bill 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold and went prominent 3rd, tracked winner before next, hit 4 out, lost place before 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Zen Master (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Miss Amelia 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Senor Lombardy (11-4) at Hexham 2m (6) hvy in Oct.
Royal Flag 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 28 3/4l behind Dame Rose (10-5) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Oct.
