chased leader until weakened from 7th
always towards rear, struggling from 8th
towards rear, ridden to chase leaders approaching 4 out, every chance approaching last, kept on, always held by winner
in touch, went 2nd approaching 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, led run-in
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, mistake next, stayed on approaching last
led, soon clear, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed run-in, kept on same pace
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 6 out
Previous course and distance winner Shares gets the nod over Jeffertiti and Something Silver. The last named knows his way around here and has nothing to fear from the track itself. However, like the top-weighted Jolly Boy, he would not want the ground to be too testing and needs a strong drying wind to sweep up the course to strengthen his claims. Jeffertiti is on a handy mark and should be capable of making the rest aware of his presence. However, he failed to take advantage in a weaker race than this 19 days ago, so has a bit to prove on this occasion. Therefore, we turn to Shares, who has coped with heavy ground on numerous occasions. The mount of Graham Lee loves this track and, with all the pieces falling into place for him, Shares appears to have a rock solid chance of getting off the mark for the season, if all goes to plan this afternoon.
Jolly Boy (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Led, headed 2nd, 3rd halfway, weakened after 5 out, tailed off from 3 out, last of 12, well behind Johnee Joblot (9-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 gs in Nov.
Shares (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, steady headway 4 out, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Palomar (9-10) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Hollows Mill 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, rapid headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Cloudmor (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Jefertiti (FR) 6-4 (10-7) Led to 3rd, challenged 4 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Litron (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Prince Adjal (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Led, hit 2nd and 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 39l behind Le Marquis (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Something Silver 10-1 (10-6) Led, headed flat, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 31l behind Poker De Sivola (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Mitey Perk (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Close up, led 4th, headed approaching 5 out, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out pulled up in race won by Marshall Hall (11-8) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
