made all, ridden between last 2, 2 lengths clear last, hung right and kept on flat
mid-division, headway 6th, left 2nd 3 out, effort next, ridden and kept on same pace flat
in touch, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
raced keenly, tracked leaders, disputing 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
mid-division, headway and in touch 4th, outpaced 3 out, 7th and beaten when fell next
keen early, held up, struggling 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
held up, outpaced when hampered 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind
Barbers Shop is impossible to oppose here with Mister Benedictine and Mange Tout rating the main dangers. The selection was odds-on favourite when unseating his rider at the first last time out but prior to that he had been a good second behind Unowatimeen. That form stands out in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to win this with plenty in hand. Mister Benedictine rates the main danger on his best form but he was disappointing for no apparent reason last time out so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Mange Tout was let down by his jumping last time over fences but he has also had plenty of chances over hurdles without taking one and he will need to improve signifficantly for the fitting of a first-time tounge tie if he is to score. Of the remainder, Cordier has run with promise in the past and has definite place claims but he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip in handicaps and with this in mind for the winner we return to Barbers Shop who can give his rivals the chop.
Barbers Shop 4-7fav (11-7) Led, hit 2nd, stumbled and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Annie's Answer (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Mister Benedictine 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outer, 8th approaching 3 out, no extra from next, 15th of 25, 40l behind Phantom Lad (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr.
Cordier 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed approaching next, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Corran Ard (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Good Cause (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 21l behind Classic Gold (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Mange Tout (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leader to 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 13l behind Andre Chenier (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) gf in Mar.
Missile (FR) 7-1 (12-0) pulled up 3 out in race won by Murphymeboy (12-0) at Guilsborough 3m ptp gd in Apr '06, 7 ran.
Mister Minty (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden 3f out, soon behind, last of 10, 24l behind Very Well Red (8-2) at Beverley 1m hcap (5) gf in May (Flat).
Riverweld 50-1 (10-7) Prominent and keen, weakened 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cyd Charisse (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in May, 12 ran.
