held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, took 4th towards finish, never on terms
in touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
with leader, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, driven out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, chased leaders 3 out, chased winner next, blundered last, one pace
held up, mistake 2nd, hit 7th, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced
Mr Shambles is a sporting bet to beat Dancing Rock, Longueville Manor and Legally Fast in an open handicap. There are plenty of ifs and buts here, especially as Dancing Rock returns from over a year off. If Philip Hobbs's inmate could be relied on to be ready, then obviously he has the class to prevail. Longueville Manor has built up an exasperating sequence of seconds, but surely he will come good sooner or later, while Legally Fast was put firmly in his place by Paulo Dancer at Cheltenham, but there was no disgrace in that and he will have his supporters. However, a chance is taken with Mr Shambles who ran well to be second here last time despite making a mistake two out. Granted he has a bit to find on form, but he kept on well and will relish the trip. The market may tell us whether After Eight is expected to be in the shake-up, but we return to Mr Shambles as the answer.
Absolut Power (GER) 4-1 (10-5) Always in rear, 9th of 16, 33l behind Desert Tommy (10-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
After Eight (GER) 5-2 (11-8) Mid-division, effort after 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 35l behind Bring Me Sunshine (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Dancing Rock 8-13fav (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, mistake 3 out, no impression next, weakened, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Ask The Gatherer (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct '05.
Legally Fast (USA) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, left moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression after next, went moderate 2nd last, 2nd of 11, 22l behind Paulo Dancer (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Mr Shambles 6-4fav (11-2) Held up, went prominent 4th, ridden in 3rd when blundered 2 out, not fluent last, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Keltic Rock (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Herne Bay (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway on inside 6th, ridden and weakend 2 out, 7th of 12, 20l behind Croix De Guerre (11-11) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Oct '05.
Longueville Manor (FR) 8-13fav (11-2) Held up, steady headway from 6th, chased winner after 3 out, ridden and beaten and hit last, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Capt Jack (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Karathaena (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Wot Way Chief (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
