tracked leaders, headway 6th, led after 3 out, rider lost whip after last, driven out
held up, chased winner approaching 2 out, every chance last, not quicken
always behind, outpaced from 6th
tracked leaders, challenged approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
led to 7th, soon ridden and weakened
with leader, led 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
Shaman can make fitness count over Junkanoo, with Speed Venture and Pro Dancer a couple more to note. If Junkanoo could be relied on to be anywhere near fit enough, then he would have been the selection, having won a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in January 2005. However, being pulled up on the Flat at Catterick last month on what was his first outing in over 18-months hardly constitutes a return, so it will be an extremely good training performance by Keith Reveley to have the 10-year-old spot on today. With that in mind, we would rather take a chance with Shaman who, although only plating class, at least is fit enough and has some winning form. The going is a bit softer than ideal, but apart from that he has leading claims of being in the shake-up. Speed Venture will not mind the ground, and will be all the better for his recent return to action after a mini-break, while Pro Dancer has decent past form in Ireland but would prefer faster ground. So, for the winner we return to Shaman.
Junkanoo 15-2 (11-12) Behind, headway approaching 9th, ridden to lead and hit last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Graffiti Tongue (10-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Feb '05.
Pro Dancer (USA) 16-1 (11-7) In touch, blundered 15th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 30l behind Tribal Dancer (9-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Speed Venture 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 12th of 16, 29l behind Scarlet Mix (10-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Shaman 11-4 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Allaboveboard (10-12) at Perth 2m clm hdl (5) sft in Sept.
Alpine Hideaway (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 23l behind Wot Way Chief (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Top Style (IRE) 18-1 (9-13) In rear, pushed along after 4th, struggling from 6th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Spring Breeze (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Pont Neuf (IRE) 17-2 (10-5) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 25l behind Full As A Rocket (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
