Verdict

Shares is going the right way and may be worth chancing in an open event, with The Hairy Lemon, Silken Pearls and Oliverjohn all holding claims of a sort as well. This is not easy to predict, but Shares has improved bit-by-bit since being put back over hurdles, and Peter Monteith's charge, successful at Kelso last March, should be in the shake-up. He will go on the ground, although if there is any more rain then his chance wold lessen. With that in mind he cannot be considered a strong choice, but gets a narrow vote over the rest. The Hairy Lemon was given a good ride to land an amateur riders event at Uttoxeter, but has more to do, while Silken Pearls is a big mare who goes on the ground, but she is surely biding her time before going chasing. Oliverjohn has not won since his days in Ireland and looks a shade high in the weights at present, and by a process of elimination we return to Shares as the answer.