held up, ridden and headway 4 out, one pace from next
held up, ridden and weakened after 4 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced
held up, ridden and weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place from 6th
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, struggling from 5th, tailed off
led, headed after 2nd, remained close up, led 4 out, ridden after 2 out, 7 lengths clear when fell last
held up in touch, chased leader approaching 3 out, seven lengths down in 2nd when left in lead last, no extra when headed towards finish
always behind, struggling after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch and keen, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on well from last, just failed
in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 4 out, weakened approaching next
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, just held on
held up, weakened from 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway 4 out, no impression
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
held up in touch and keen, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, one pace from next
led after 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up behind, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
An open affair to end the day with and the tentative vote goes to Shatabdi, although a lengthy shortlist includes Burntoakboy, Acambo and Kicks For Free. Nicky Henderson's five-year-old has to prove that he handles the quicker ground conditions however if he does he could be a force to reckon with as he has won two of his last three starts in effortless fashion (fell on the other occasion). The stable are in consistently decent form and with this flat track expected to suit, he must have solid claims in an open contest. Acambo was pulled-up when last seen but that was on soft ground and with drying conditions very much in his favour, he must be a danger although the step up in trip is not sure to suit. Flying Falcon certainly has claims based on his good second last time out and looks the pick of the Venetia Williams-trained pair. Maharba Million must be of interest for the in-form Mr McCoy however the drying ground is a worry, whilst Laouen has won seven of his last ten and must rate a live danger off his feather-weight. Burntoakboy has won his last two, the latter a similar contest to this at Cheltenham. Always travelling well, he quickened up well up the hill to win in taking fashion and must have claims today, although a 12lb higher mark makes life tricky. Kicks For Free was beaten less than a length in last-year's bumper and progressive since, he must have solid claims on ground that he likes and with the step up in trip expected to suit. Into The Shadows and Roll Along are two others to consider, however for the winner we will return to Shatabdi to small stakes.
Acambo (GER) 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division on inside, headway 5th, effort 3 out, weakened quickly. pulled up before last pulled up in race won by Heathcote (10-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb, 20 ran.
Burntoakboy Held up in touch, went prominent when not fluent 5th, led 3 out, kept on strongly from 2 out, 0th of 76, 0.0000 behind Absolut Power at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, chased winner soon after 3 out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 26l behind De Soto (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Shatabdi (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 4th, in command and going well 2 out, soon clear, kept on strongly run-in, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Mendo (11-2) by 9l, 5 ran.
Into The Shadows 7-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, stayed on well, eased near finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Totally Scottish (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Flying Falcon 0th of 76, 0.0000 behind Absolut Power at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Two Miles West (IRE) 0th of 76, 0.0000 behind Absolut Power at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Roll Along (IRE) 0th of 76, 0.0000 behind Absolut Power at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
