held up and keen, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, not quicken when hung right last, one pace
in touch, hit 5th, ridden 4 out, weakened next
led, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, driven and weakened 4 out
held up, headway 4 out, kept on
held up, headway after 6th, led 2 out, pushed out
tracked leader until weakened 3 out
never a factor
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, one pace
in touch, reminders 3rd, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
In the novices' hurdle, Shanahan is selected ahead of Im Busy and Ophistrolie. Im Busy beat Shanahan by two-and-a-half lengths over 17 furlongs here last time out but is now seven pounds worse off at the weights so Shanahan can gain revenge today. Kerasoun and King Kasyapa look held on that form. Ophistrolie has looked improved of late and, based on his Musselburgh run last time, is not ruled out of a place. City Breeze has shown some ability but it only rates in the low 90s so, but look out for possible improvement from the Evan Williams-trained Pound Sign and Tapimix, who showed some promise in France. For the selection, though, we return to Shanahan.
Shanahan (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, not clear run approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Im Busy (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Assignation 5-2 (12-0) Held up; gd hdwy 10; outpcd 14; went 2nd last; r.o, 2nd of 9, 15l behind Meggie's Lad (12-0) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gf in May.
City Breeze (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) In touch, driven along approaching 5th, struggling and behind 6th, stayed on well approaching last, 5th of 12, 11l behind City Affair (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Fine Palette 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Too Posh To Share (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jul.
Im Busy 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, led and not fluent 2 out, wandered approaching last, kept on well, pushed out, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Shanahan (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
King Kasyapa (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, ridden and every chance after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 15, 16l behind Im Busy (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Listen Son (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 4th, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Esprit de Corps (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jun.
Lunch Was My Idea (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, ridden, weakened 5th, 14th of 16, well behind Adjami (11-11) at Stratford 2m 3f clm hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Kerasoun (FR) 10-1 (10-11) In touch, effort 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 15, 16l behind Im Busy (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Pound Sign 10-1 (10-13) Led after 1st, headed 4th, led again approaching 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened, 5th of 10, 28l behind Country Affair (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug.
Tapimix (FR) (8-6) Behind Esplendido (8-13) at Cagnes-Sur-mer 1m 4f hcp gd in Jan, 16 ran (Flat).
Loriko d'Airy (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and behind from 5th, pulled up 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Beauchamp Star (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Ophistrolie (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Lerida (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb '06.
