led early, took keen hold, prominent, reminders over 3f out, eased out left over 2f out, led well over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, lost further ground when hung left on 1st bend, headway and hanging left from 2f out, no impression well inside final furlong
mid-division, took keen hold, headway and edged right over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, bumped over 1f out, no impression well inside final furlong
held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always in rear, toiling final 3f
Richard Hannon's Avon River ran much better on his return to turf at Chepstow recently when third to Agony And Ecstasy and he has to be considered racing off a 1lb lower mark today but a better bet looks to be THE SHUFFLER, who gets the vote ahead of Shoot The Pot. Ralph Beckett's gelding progressed from his debut outing at Salisbury as a juvenile when landing a auction maiden at Kempton on his only subsequent start in December and he could be of interest on his first outing as a three-year-old on his handicap debut off a mark of 67. Walter Swinburn's Alice Cullen also makes her first appearance in this grade but she seems plenty high enough for what she has achieved so far, while Jeremy Gask's Edition needs to improve on his limited experience to take a hand in the finish. First Post disappointed back on turf at Doncaster last time but has claims on earlier form at Southwell, although more solid claims are held by The Shuffler, who gets the verdict. Gary Moore's gelding is more experienced than most of his rivals after 10 starts but he has shown improved form this term, having won at Brighton and finding just Right Rave too good over course and distance last time, and he can go one better today.
Avon River 14-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Agony And Ecstasy (9-3) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Emirates Hills 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, outpaced well over 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 9, 11l behind Ventura Cove (9-0) at Thirsk 6f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gd.
Alice Cullen 9-2 (8-9) Prominent, shaken up 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Tagseed (9-12) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) gd.
First Post (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 4f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 8, 13l behind Dandino (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
The Shuffler 3-1fav (8-10) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, strongly challenged winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Right Rave (9-0) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Yabtree (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) In touch on outside, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 10l behind Tell Halaf (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Tamtara 14-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon not much room, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Pastello (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Edition 33-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 6l behind Udabaa (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn stks (4) pol.
Shoot The Pot (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and no impression 2f out until stayed on strongly inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec beating Prince Yarraman (8-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Chateau Zara 14-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, hard driven over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 14, 7l behind Right Rave (9-0) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Annacaboe (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Mid-division, wide on bend over 4f out, driven along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 10l behind It's A Deal (8-8) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Sir William Orpen 7-1 (8-7) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Confucius Fortune (8-13) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
