mid-division, outpaced when not fluent 8th, soon ridden, went remote 4th briefly 2 out, never on terms
in touch main group, tracked clear leader 4th, lost place 7th, outpaced 3 out, disputed well beaten 4th 2 out, never on terms
chased leaders to before 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased clear leader until mistake and lost place 4th, soon ridden and behind, lost touch when pulled up before 6th
raced keenly, led and clear until blundered 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened and eased, tailed off
in touch main group, 4th and outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd next, 10 lengths down last, kept on, no chance with winner
behind, mistake 2nd, headway 7th, chased winner after 3 out to next, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway and in touch 6th, went 2nd next, led before 2 out, 10 lengths clear last, eased towards finish
mid-division, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, struggling 7th, tailed off 3 out
Nothing totally trustworthy and it may pay to take a chance on KANAD ahead of Shore Thing and Dunaskin. The selection is dropped down into claiming grade for the first time this afternoon. This gelding has been pulled up on his two starts this season, and a novice chasing campaign certainly hasn't gone to plan. However he should relish this big drop in grade on good ground and a bold bid is expected. Shore Thing is the highest-rated in the contest and he is another with a little to prove. He is quickly turned out after falling in a big Cheltenham handicap and is respected, especially if the rain arrives. Dunaskin has been in fine form on the flat, winning his last two starts in selling grade at Southwell. He is a good hurdler and should relish the return to jumping. Highest Esteem was not disgraced behind Santera at Doncaster, but this race looks stronger, Mtoto's Prince was lifeless at Ffos Las recently, whilst Mayor Of Kilcock should run better now dropped in grade and trip. Tabaran is a regular fixture in lesser selling/claiming races, but looks the sort of horse who might not mind a chance to race against better animals. Along The Nile zipped home in first-time blinkers at Catterick earlier in the month and he looks a player at the weights. If in the same frame of mind then he should go close despite the stronger race today. An intriguing claimer, but the vote goes to Kanad.
Shore Thing (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Behind when brought down 1st, in a race won by Pause And Clause (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft, 24 ran.
Dunaskin (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Chased leader, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 12, 43l behind Fairyland (10-8) at Newbury 2m listed hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gs in Nov.
Highest Esteem 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden approaching last, chased winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Santera (10-6) at Doncaster 2m clm hdl (4) gd.
Mtoto's Prince 25-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 12, 37l behind Black Jack Blues (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Mayor Of Kilcock 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 13, 19l behind Winterwood (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Tabaran (FR) 6-1 (11-0) In touch, pushed along approaching 4th briefly, ridden before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Putney Bridge (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) sft in Feb.
Celticello (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up in last pair, not fluent 1st, mistake 10th, not fluent 14th, headway when hampered 3 out, 3rd 2 out, mistake last, weakened, 5th of 6, 9l behind Winsley Hill (11-3) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Along The Nile 10-3 (11-1) Chased leaders, led 6th, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Catterick 2m sell hdl (5) gd beating Tipsy Indian (10-8) by 8l, 14 ran.
Bubses Boy 28-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching and outpaced when fell 3 out, in a race won by Santera (10-6) at Doncaster 2m clm hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Blue Savannah (FR) 5-1 (10-5) Held up, pushed along briefly 5th, in touch 7th, went third 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Alternator (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Rapid Desire (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 50l behind Bogside Theatre (10-7) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Kanad 66-1 (10-2) Mid-division on inside, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs, 23 ran.
Art Gallery 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place from 10th, 7th of 11, 47l behind Manoubi (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
