chased leaders, 2nd before 2 out until hit the last, weakened run-in
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
chased leader, led approaching 4th until 3 out, chased winner until before next, 2nd again at the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
always towards rear, tailed off and eased after 2 out, soon pulled up
chased leaders, led 3 out, clear after next, kept on strongly, easily
led until approaching 4th, chased leader until before 3 out, weakened rapidly soon after 3 out, tailed off
raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on
took keen hold, soon tracking leaders on outside, went 3rd at the last, plugged on, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway on outside before 2 out, weakened between last 2
always in rear, tailed off
Shoal Bay has faced a couple of stiff tasks recently including the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham last month and will be more at home in this company. He’s weighted to beat both Irish Prophecy and Penneys Hun, who also carry penalties for earlier maiden hurdle wins. A bumper winner here, DIAMOND GUY reverts to hurdling with a pipe-opener at Kempton under his belt. He needs to improve to get involved but given Paul Nicholls has won both previous renewals of this, he gets the vote to do just that. Big Difference is another who should be sharper for a recent comeback run at Ludlow.
Irish Prophecy (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered 3 out, headway and effort 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 28l behind If The Cap Fits (11-8) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Penneys Hun (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, 3rd at 4th, under pressure before 2 out where left 2nd, ridden after 2 out, no impression on leader, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Balakani (11-0) at Limerick 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Shoal Bay (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) In touch on outside, lost place 4th, behind 4 out, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Big Difference (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led to 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Shalakar (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Apr.
Cranstal (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway on inside 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 18, 22 1/4l behind Breaking Waves (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Diamond Guy (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Led, pushed clear over 3f out, ridden and 8 lengths ahead 2f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, headed and weakened final 50 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Onefortheroadtom (11-4) at Kempton 2m 2f (5) pol in Mar.
Indigo Stamp 250-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Le Musee (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Pirolo (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, struggling 5th, pulled up before next, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Serosevsky (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, stayed on same pace from over 2f out, 5th of 18, 9 1/4l behind Breaking Waves (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge before 2 out, outpaced by front pair between last 2, well beaten when lost modest 3rd after last, 4th of 11, 19l behind Paisley Park (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Blushing Red (FR) 6-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway after next, led before 5th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 11, dist behind Nelson's Touch (11-2) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Mutoondresdashorse 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, slow next, closed briefly, weakened well before 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Phoenix Dawn (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
City Star 11-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, led 4th, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, dist behind With Discretion (10-10) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) hvy in Mar.
Fred's Filly 100-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Star Ascending (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Nanny Makfi 20-1 (10-8) Steadied rear after 2nd, headway before 2 out, plugged on into modest 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 21l behind Under The Woods (11-1) at Exeter 2m 3f (5) hvy in Apr.
