in touch, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace, lost 2nd between last 2, hit last, no impression
mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, 5th and no impression when fell 2 out
prominent, chased winner after 4 out to before next, weakend 2 out
mid-division, struggling 4th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway after 4 out, stayed on into 2nd between last 2, no threat to winner
mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, went 4th next, kept on same pace, no impression
chased winner to after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, blundered 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened before next
made all, drew clear on bit from 3 out, unchallenged
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden after next, never on terms, beaten when hampered 2 out
blundered 1st, always towards rear
behind, ridden and headway after 4 out, chased clear leaders when hampered 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
always behind, ridden after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
hampered 1st, mid-division, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
SHANTOU ROCK came up against a potentially smart novice in Beyond Conceit at Newbury last time. That was probably decent form taking into account that the third and fourth had shown ability previously and Dan Skelton’s charge is hard to oppose in this. Chti Balko should improve on his third at Doncaster but hurdling newcomer Bomber Command has an absence to overcome. It’s difficult to make much of a case for the remainder with the possible exception of Bettatogether and Majestic Touch.
Alfie's Choice (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, mistake and struggling 6th, 11th of 18, dist behind Rolling Dylan (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Bettatogether 11-4 (10-12) Held up behind in touch, headway to chase leaders over 6f out to 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Ballyhenry (10-12) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Jan.
Bomber Command (FR) 9-4fav (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, went 4th over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 11l behind Calva D'honore (11-0) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Jun.
Esspresso (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, some headway after 4th, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 13, dist behind Russian Service (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Flans O Man (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Off the pace mid-division, towards rear and struggling from 5th, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Brave Eagle (10-12) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Majestic Touch (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 35 1/4l behind Stowaway Magic (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Midnight Jitterbug 66-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 13, 25 3/4l behind Top Ville Ben (11-5) at Leicester 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Mr Pippin 200-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along and lost place halfway, tailed off 4 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Ice Cool Champs (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
Quigley Court (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Always behind, 8th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Just A Sting (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) gs in Jan.
Shantou Rock (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Raced freely, led, clear after 5th, mistake 3 out, reduced lead 2 out, headed before not fluent last, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Beyond Conceit (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Snow Rescue (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 14, 25 1/2l behind Top Ville Ben (11-2) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) gs in Dec.
Betterlatethanneva (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Off the pace mid-division, pushed along and struggling 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, dist behind Brave Eagle (10-12) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Jaunty Clementine 200-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, struggling 6th, soon beaten, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Val Di Comino (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, struggling final 6f, 9th of 11, dist behind Poisoned Berry (10-11) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Aug.
Mylyny 100-1 (10-0) Chased leaders on inside, weakened and behind final 7f, 9th of 11, dist behind Mr Clarkson (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (6) sft in Jan.
Chti Balko (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, close up 3 out, 3rd and beaten when jumped left 2 out and last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Stowaway Magic (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
