held up, headway 10th, weakened 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, led 4 out, soon ridden, headed flat, ran on
behind, mistake 3rd, headway 15th, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken flat
prominent, led 15th, ridden and headed 4 out, every chance last, not quicken towards finish
mid-division, lost place 11th, headway and hit 12th, hit 4 out and 2 out, led flat, driven out
always behind
held up, headway 10th, weakened 14th
prominent, lost place 6th, hit 9th, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
held up, headway 15th, ridden 3 out, stayed on flat
led to 15th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden after 15th, weakened before next
Tribal Dancer gets a speculative vote over Quizzling, with Point, Aisjem and Lough Rynn worth a small mention at least. This is not the strongest of contests, and it could well be that Tribal Dancer will turn back the clock to gain another course-and-distance victory. The Venetia Williams-trained 12-year-old has won three times round here during his career, the last time being in May 2004, since when he has struggled with a mark in the hundreds. However, some lenience by the handicapper has resulted in him recapturing a bit of form over the past 12 months, and in a poor race like this, he is taken to make most and score. Quizzling is an in-and-out performer who was on a going day when winning at Fontwell last time. The inconsistent Aisjem would perhaps have given him something to think about however had he not made a horlicks of the ditch, and there should be little between them here. Lough Rynn has topweight to shoulder but is another that could take a hand. He has disappointed so far though and is not one to rely on, so for the winner we return to Tribal Dancer who at least knows his way round the Shropshire circuit.
Lough Rynn (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Prominent until weakened after 9th, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Magico (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (4) gs in Jan.
Joe Deane (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden 13th, no impression, 7th of 13, 21l behind Florida Dream (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Point 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Malko De Beaumont (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Tribal Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Led 2nd, clear next, headed approaching 13th, no impression from 4 out, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Fin Bec (10-9) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jan.
Quizzling (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Close up, headway 10th, led next, ran on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Smart Guy (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dr Mann (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Blundered 2nd, behind, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Tallow Bay (10-2) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs, 14 ran.
Lucky Luk (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened 11th, 11th of 16, 23l behind Moscow Gold (9-13) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Sissinghurst Storm (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up, in touch, ridden, weakened 4 out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Bar Gayne (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Aisjem (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Led unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Boardroom Dancer (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m amt hcp chs (5) gd, 13 ran.
Jorodama King 16-1 (9-10) Chased leader, led 7th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 13, 19l behind Penny's Crown (11-3) at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Dec.
Celia's High (IRE) 28-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 10th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 16, 22l behind Rosetown (10-1) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
