mid-division, ridden after 3 out, one pace and no impression
held up, headway approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, soon ridden, led last, kept on under pressure
chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, every chance flat, no extra
held up towards rear, hit 4th, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression after
held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden after 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
held up and raced wide, headway approaching 4th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace from last
always towards rear
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
close up, not fluent 4 out, ridden and lost place approaching 3 out
A healthy entry for the opener can be led home by Northern Shadows, who is suited by a galloping surface and makes more appeal than Classic Event, who, despite being respected on form, has to prove that he suffered no lasting effects after taking a heavy fall last time out at Wetherby. Others to consider for the places include: Errol, who has a course victory to his name and gets on well with today's rider. However, he was held off a 9lb higher mark when he was last seen out and, although he is capable on his day, he does not find much for pressure and needs everything to go his way. Bestam is another that has taken a liking to Town Moor and holds each way claims in this company, while Ambersong, although no world-beater on the Flat has taken well to hurdles and can continue to pay his way. In truth he is little more than plating class and others are more tempting at the likely prices. None more so than Northern Shadows, who has shown a good level of progression in the context of this race and, with the form of his latest start working out well, he looks the value call here.
Rocket Force (USA) 20-1 Prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Tomina at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Jan.
Classic Event (IRE) 7-1 Behind, headway approaching 3 out, staying on one pace when fell 2 out in race won by Supreme Leisure at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
A Bit of Fun 8-1 Led approaching 2nd, headed next, led again 3rd until headed 5th, ridden 3 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Goblin at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Errol 13-2 Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, one pace when hit last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Caliban at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb.
Meadow Hawk (USA) 40-1 Chased leader, led briefly approaching 4th, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Oracle des Mottes at Wincanton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Ambersong 7-2fav Mid-division, headway after 6th, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (F) gs in Dec beating Coustou by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Rainbow Tree 50-1 Close up, hampered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 20, 18l behind Cornish Sett at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
Bestam 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, no impression from next, 3rd of 11, 23l behind The Market Man at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Northern Shadows 14-1 Held up, hit 5th, headway next, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Silver Sedge at Newcastle 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) sft in Feb.
Reem Two 12-1 Chased leaders, lost place when jumped slowly 4th, soon behind, 8th of 14, 37l behind Cashel Dancer at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Explode 33-1 Keen, held up in rear, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 20l behind Dark Society at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jan.
Hills of View 100-1 Held up, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Le Biassais at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Silent Voice (IRE) 50-1 Held up in mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 16l behind Count Fosco at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Jan.
Ballards Boy (FR) 14-1 Chased leaders until 4th, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Bill Brown at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) hvy in Feb.
McQueen (IRE) 11-2 Chased leader, ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 48l behind Foodbroker Founder at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Mr Fernet 28-1 Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 25l behind Alikat at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb.
Allinjim (IRE) 66-1 Prominent, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 18, 28l behind Jorobaden at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
