chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, led after last, edged right flat, ridden out
chased leaders early, quickly lost place 3rd, soon pulled up
led, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed approaching next, one pace from last
held up, headway 3rd to track leaders, weakened 4 out
took keen hold early, soon tracking leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
towards rear, raced wide throughout, some headway after 5th, lost place 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression
chased leader, with leader 2nd, ridden after 3 out, led approaching next, headed after last, staying on when slightly hampered flat, kept on
Schapiro can give Tony McCoy another winner, with Silencio the principal danger ahead of Desert Tommy and Prairie Sun. It is hard to say whether any of these will still be in there pitching come Triumph Hurdle day next March but a few of them can mop up in this sphere at present and can pay to follow. A winner at Pontefract for John Gosden, Schapiro was sent off odds-on for his Bangor debut, but was well beaten when falling two out behind Silencio. He showed that was to bad to be true though when scoring readily at Newton Abbot, and if in the same frame of mind, can beat Silencio this time. The latter added to his tally when scoring here last time but his task is made that bit harder with his penalty. Of the rest, Desert Tommy may be placed, while Prairie Sun has been knocking at the door but is held by Silencio on aline through Wilfred. Any money for either of Mick Easterby's runners, Nafferton Heights and Orion Express, would be interesting, but our vote goes to Schapiro.