mid-division, jumped right 4th, headway to go 2nd 6th, ridden 2 out, 1 1/2 lengths down when hit last, kept on same pace flat
led to 3rd, with leader, led again before 6th, ridden between last 2, kept on well
held up behind, headway on outside when mistake 4 out, switched inside before next, ridden 2 out, kept on, no impression
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden next, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression
behind until stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, no impression
towards rear, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, hampered and lost place 6th, behind from 4 out
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
with leader, led and mistake 3rd, headed before 6th, soon lost place, behind when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, pushed along in 4th when blundered and unseated rider 6th
Shipboard Romance has won over the course and distance and Three Ships should be put in a good performance but we give the vote to HOAR FROST to triumph following a much better try last time out. The selection was not too far behind Monkhair when last seen at this track. Tony McCoy retains the ride on the mare who has progressed well already this year. With potentially more to come this could be the right time to side with her to get a first hurdle win. Three Ships has to be respected on the pick of his jumps form but has failed to show it so far this year and with these reservations in mind we swerve him today. Shipboard Romance stayed on really well to win at this course last month although the form has dipped since then. Racingisdreaming runs in first-time cheekpieces and tongue strap but this is a tough test and even if finding improvement could struggle to challenge his rivals. A difficult race to call but we cautiously side with Hoar Frost.
Three Ships 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 6th, pecked 2 out, went 3rd last, one pace, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Spate River (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Hoar Frost 5-2fav (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, chasing leaders after, led approaching 3 out, driven and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Monkhair (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gf.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 3 out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Cubism (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Mix N Match 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 13, 31l behind Cash Back (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Shannersburg (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 4th, every chance 3 out, 3rd and weakening before 2 out, blundered last, 4th of 15, 21l behind Miss Phoebe (11-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun '09.
Boo 16-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 8, 16l behind Cubism (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Billy Beetroot (USA) 33-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd or 5th, ridden and hung left approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 26l behind Mhilu (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
Mujamead 7-1 (11-1) Prominent, hit 6th, led after next until 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 13, 23l behind Spate River (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Rince Donn (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Always behind, struggling when mistake 8th, tailed off 4 out, 5th of 9, well behind Josear (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Haling Park (UAE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, stuggling on outside 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Ruby Crown (11-12) at Towcester 2m cond hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May, 13 ran.
Racingisdreaming (USA) 14-1 (10-7) Always in rear, struggling before 5th, 9th of 10, 37l behind Wheelavit (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
General Smith 11-4 (10-3) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway when not clear run briefly bend after 6th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Quipe Me Posted (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
