in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon every chance, ridden and hit last, unable to quicken flat
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching last, weakened flat
took keen hold, chased clear leader, closed up when hit 4 out, weakened 2 out
took keen hold, always rear division, ridden and struggling 3 out
chased leaders, headway from 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, hard driven flat, just held on
took keen hold, always rear, ridden and beaten 3 out
reluctant to jump off, led after 1st, raced freely in lead and soon clear, reduced lead before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, 5th and weakening when blundered last
behind, ridden and struggling 3 out, no chance when hit next
always behind
held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, ridden to challenge on outside, not fluent last, strong challenge flat, just failed
led until after 1st, chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
always rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, effort on outside to chase leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
raced wide, held up in rear, good headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on flat, never nearer
A very competitive heat where we'll tentatively suggest RED ADMIRAL to score, while Motorway and Hibiki are among numerous dangers. The selection represents a yard in tremendous form and he should appreciate this return to two miles, having failed to convince over further last time. He has a nice racing weight and loves decent ground so he is taken to land this good prize. Motorway is up 3lb for going close last time and he looks capable of getting very competitive from that sort of mark, with Rhys Flint a useful claimer. Hibiki is, we presume, the choice of Richard Johnson and like his stablemate he has a decent chance here. Trip and ground suit and he too has a nice weight on his back. Chantaco looks as though he is probably in the grip of the handicapper, but Nicky Henderson is a man capable of defying that sort of theory and we won't dismiss the gelding out of hand even though the ground might be against him. In truth, however, stablemate Doubly Guest looks the more likely of the pair. She goes really well fresh and although there is a slight concern over the ground, as long as it is not much quicker than good she should be ok and we anticipate her being bang there at the business end. Group Captain has a tough task at the weights but there is no doubt he has ability and reports from home are good where he is concerned. Art Professor is worth a second look with the yard now hitting form, while Irish raider De La Rue won last time and a check on the market looks advisable. A really good contest then and Red Admiral can land the prize.
Group Captain 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 4th, weakened from 4 out, 20th of 24, 41l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Motorway (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, challenging last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Chantaco (USA) 16-1 (10-6) Held up, effort 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 24, 19l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Dishdasha (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Pulled early, held up, lost place after 4th, tailed off, 4th of 5, 47l behind Chomba Womba (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) sft.
Art Professor (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, hit 2nd and 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Squadron (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Pearl King (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 33l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Doubly Guest 7-2 (10-11) Led and keen, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind La Vecchia Scuola (11-12) at Ayr 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Cnoc Moy (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, well behind approaching 3 out, 19th of 20, well behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
De La Rue (USA) 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, progress and ridden in 3rd before 2 out, moderate 2nd after 2 out, strongly pressed leader run-in, led close home, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 0-123 gs in Oct beating Mudslinger (11-8) by a nk, 19 ran.
Hibiki (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Chased winner until after 3rd, remained close-up, ridden 3 out, chased winner and every chance 2 out, driven and not quicken flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Border Tale (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Moon Star (GER) 5-1 (11-12) Keen, close-up, chased winner after 3rd until after 3 out, close-up when hit 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 4th of 5, 10l behind Border Tale (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Red Admiral (USA) 7-2 (11-1) Held up well in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on, nearest finish, 4th of 17, 7l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Cornas (NZ) 13-2 (11-7) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Take The Breeze (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Folk Tune (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) In rear, headway 4 out, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Cedrus Libani (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
