Expert Analysis

A race as significant for what it implied about Shishkin – now rated c176, having beaten Eldorado Allen pointless twice last season, including in an Arkle Chase from which third and fourth have been good winners recently – as it was in itself, a strong pace on good to soft ground bringing the winner’s stamina into play (89.1% finishing speed slow even for here). Third, fifth and sixth were out of the handicap, and the first two returned smart performances, rather than better.

ELDORADO ALLEN (c152 here and previously) is not quite top tier, but he is smart and very willing with it, and that took him to victory in this against a rival who did not see things out as well as he did, in the last two but well in touch for much of the race, going second 4 out and disputing the lead under pressure briefly approaching the last, looking held until switched and getting up near the line. He ran moderately at 20f on his final start of last season but should stay the trip and quite possibly be suited by it.

HITMAN (c151+ here, 156 previously) remains with potential, looking best here (touched 10/1 on in running) only to run out of puff in quite testing circumstances on what was his seasonal return, travelling comfortably tracking the pace until edging ahead going to 4 out, joined again between the last 2 but forging on again despite edging left, a length or 2 to the good until no extra and caught near the line. He won at 20f last term in a weak race, and was a creditable third to Protektorat at the trip at Aintree, but is likely to be at least as good at a bare 16f. He should remain on a winnable mark.

ZANZA (c144 here and previously), running from 4 lb out of the handicap, appeared to perform well, in touch but not always fluent, unable to go with the first 2 early in the home straight but staying on to the line. His jumping can be hit or miss, but he’s certainly useful.

GREANETEEN (c142 here, 168 previously) shaped as if the race will do him plenty of good, going with zest, initially held up but disputing the lead briefly 4 out, weakening after the next. He is well suited by a speed test at 16f, something he did not encounter here. 

KING D’ARGENT (c114 here, 145 previously) had a fair bit on but disappointed even so, helping force the pace until 4 out, soon beaten.  

MOONLIGHTER (c0 here, 144 previously) led early but jumped left and was in trouble soon after halfway.