tracked leaders when fell 2nd
disputed lead, until led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before next
raced wide close up, headway to press leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
disputed lead until 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
close up, chased leader 3 out, led approaching next, soon clear, comfortable
led into start, held up, headway 3 out, chased clear winner next, plugged on
hampered 2nd and soon towards rear, never on terms
in rear when hampered 1st, struggling from 6th, pulled up 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
hampered and unseated rider 2nd
always towards rear, pulled up 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, plugged on to go poor 3rd
The last time Sheriff Garrett encountered testing ground he completed a double in this race a year ago so the recent rain will have been welcome. Sayar has been consistent enough without winning and has dropped steadily in the ratings while Lovely Moon scored at Clonmel before beaten a head under a 5lb penalty at Tramore. He's changed stables while Inishbiggle scored at Doncaster but was beaten 15l into second on a return visit. East Street scored over 2m at Wetherby on good going before beaten 14l at Newcastle while Rukwa is on a hat-trick though hasn't been seen since landing the odds at Bangor last April. SHOUGHALL'S BOY has improved dramatically to complete a double at Hexham, the latest on heavy going, so connections will be hoping conditions come in his favour on a hat-trick bid.
Sheriff Garrett (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Led until fell 6th, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Sayar (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Raced in centre, disputed lead, advantage at 4t, raced alone on inside before 2 out, headed approaching last, immediately outpaced and no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Anyharminasking (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Lovely Moon (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Disputed lead, led from 7th, ridden and headed before 2 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, rallied to regain lead at last, stayed on well under pressure, headed near line, 2nd of 13, hd behind Kingston Kid (11-9) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
Quest For Life 40-1 (11-8) Prominent, mistake 4th, pushed along after 7th, lost place before 3 out, 11th of 15, 37 3/4l behind Jay Jay Reilly (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Inishbiggle (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 15l behind Jay Jay Reilly (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Twotwothree (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 10th, losing touch when blundered and fell 3 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
East Street (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Close up, hit 3rd, slow 4th, nudged along after next, pushed along before 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace flat, no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Since Day One (11-5) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Rukwa (FR) 8-11fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Dora's Field (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Frightened Rabbit (USA) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened before last, 9th of 14, 32 3/4l behind Romeo Brown (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Busy Street 9-1 (9-8) Prominent, pushed along 4f out in second, led over 2f out, soon ridden along and no extra, 6th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Khilwafy (9-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Falco Du Sauzay (FR) 18-1 (10-13) Mid-division, some headway in 4th after 3 out, no extra entering straight and soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Shoughall's Boy (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Tracked leader, headway 2 out, ridden to lead last, driven out run-in, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Stoney Rover (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
