tracked leader, led 6th, narrow lead when blundered badly and fell 3 out
towards rear, reminder approaching 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, left poor 4th 3 out
held up, towards rear, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 4 out
towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leading pair next, left 2nd 3 out, every chance last, kept on same pace
led until blundered 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
always in rear, weakened 6th, pulled up when tailed off
chased leaders, challenging when left in lead 3 out, kept on from last
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, left poor 3rd 3 out, kept on from 2 out
Nonrunner
The waters muddied by a number of chasers switching to the smaller obstacles but SHESHALI can take this race with Very Cool and Aldertune as live dangers. Evan Williams' charge is particularly well bred but has taken time to come to hand. He defied connections expectations in taking a handicap on the flat at Wolverhampton and with an ability to cope with extreme trips in the locker, he has plenty to recommend despite the leap up in grade. Very Cool has not shown a great deal this season. That said, he looked entirely progressive last term and the David Pipe yard are very much among the winners at present. Aldertune arguably has it to prove in relation to the trip. He does handle the going and has come to this race rather than take other more difficult assignments. Silverburn has been inherently disappointing though it was always a hard act to follow his brother. He remains very much in the watching brief category at present. Oscar Bay is a very solid chaser. He is a couple of pounds lower in the weights at this discipline so the market has to be noted. Ashley Brook has been a credit to connections though needs better ground conditions. Jungleland is an interesting participant from the Donald McCain yard. There was something clearly amiss after his visit to the racecourse in November but the handicapper has dropped him down the weights and Jason Maguire will do just 10st 5lb this afternoon. Orion Express is a likeable stick in lesser grade. The handicapper has punished him heavily for consistency. Bertie May has taken on some fair novice chasers this term and is in here off the same mark. Sheshali should strike in this affair.
Silverburn (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Prominent, under pressure 8th, weakened after next, 6th of 10, well behind Ballyfitz (11-1) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Struggling in rear when hampered 5th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by The Sawyer (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Sheshali (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway on inside 7th, outpaced approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 14l behind Trenchant (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Aldertune (IRE) 9-4fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, switched left after 2 out, challenging when not fluent last, led flat, hung right, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Magic Sky (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 6th, headed 14th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 16l behind Can't Buy Time (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan.
Orion Express 16-1 (10-6) Behind, reminders after 6th, no chance after, 8th of 17, 32l behind Raslan (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Aug.
Bertie May 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division, hit 2nd, mistake 8th, ridden and hit 12th, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 13, 9l behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Stagehand (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Always prominent, not fluent 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Dawn At Sea (11-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Very Cool 25-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, jumped slowly 6th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, mistakes 2 out, 10th of 18, 46l behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Jungleland (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led and raced keen, headed after 4th, remained close up until weakened approaching 3 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before last, in a race won by Tarateeno (10-10) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
