held up in last, shaken up to close behind leaders before 2 out, pushed along and led narrowly before last, wandered around going to final flight, ridden and stayed on gamely flat, just prevailed
prominent, travelled strongly, slight lead 5 out, not fluent 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed narrowly before last, ran on and hung right when every chance run-in, just denied
led, headed but remained close up 5 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, faded from 2 out
Smoking Pigeon only weakened on the run-in on his hurdles bow at Uttoxeter but GROSVENOR COURT was staying on over 2m4f at Southwell and only beaten a couple of lengths. On that evidence, the extra furlong here will suit and he might be a bit of value against bumper winner Shearer. Maroochi finished third at Worcester in May but was struggling when falling at Exeter earlier this month.
Grosvenor Court 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner and mistake last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 2l behind No Ordinary Joe (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Shearer (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced and struggling 4f out, 10th of 14, 22 1/2l behind Sir Gerhard (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Smoking Pigeon 15-2 (11-0) Led, headed and mistake 2 out, ridden 2f out, jumped right last, no extra, 5th of 12, 11 1/2l behind The Bomber Liston (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Maroochi 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, ridden on home turn, every chance when hampered and unseated rider 3 out, at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gf in Oct.
