took keen hold behind leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out
hit 1st, held up, pulled up after 5th
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakening when hit last
led, reminder 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, held when not fluent last
held up, headway into close 4th 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, kept on well
In the opener, Shanxi Girl is favoured over Gun Smith and Val du Ciron. After showing promise on her bumper debut, Shanxi Girl then displayed further evidence of ability on her hurdling debut at Chepstow. In a race that lacks strength in depth, she can go well. Gun Smith was a fairly expensive purchase but has been disappointing since his promising bumper debut effort. That said, he can still go well, and Taipan's Promise has shown bumper promise, as has Val du Ciron. The selection, though, is Shanxi Girl.
Archie Gunn 9-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 6, 20l behind Ocean du Moulin (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gf in Oct.
Fountain Fortune 100-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway and chased leader 4th, led approaching 6th to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Hills Of Aran (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Gun Smith 11-4 (10-12) Chased winner, driven, outpaced after 2 out, held on under pressure for 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 21l behind Atticus Boy (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Taipan's Promise (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakening when blundered 2 out, 8th of 17, 24l behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Val du Ciron (FR) 3-1 (10-12) With leader to 3rd, in touch, hung left and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Kempley Green (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Shanxi Girl 20-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden 4 out, plugged on, 4th of 15, 17l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
