led to 5th, weakened quickly, tailed off
in mid-division when pulled up and dismounted approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, chased winner last, kept on under pressure run-in
chased leader to after 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
prominent, chased leader after 5th, led approaching 2 out, driven and stayed on run-in
chased leaders, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up and always in rear
mid-division, weakened 4 out, mistake next
took keen hold, in touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, weakened after 2 out
in touch, headway to lead 5th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, chased leaders from next, challenged and edged right from 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in
behind, mistake 4th, stayed on from 3 out, never reached challenging position
mid-division, ridden and struggling after 5th, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted after 2 out
pulled hard in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, mistake, weakened 3 out, tailed off
This looks quite a competitive contest and we will narrowly side with County Zen to beat Song Of Songs and Blue Bajan. The selection put in a really pleasing effort last time when chasing home I'msingingtheblues on his seasonal return. He looks to be going the right way and firther improvement will give him a strong chance. Song Of Songs is the obvious alternative as he made a pleasing debut over hurdles when chasing home Osana last time. The booking of Tony McCoy is interesting and he is one to note in the market, although this is his first run since February. Blue Bajan is a fair sort on the flat and he has shaped with promise over hurdles previously, so it would not be a surprise to see him go well. Katess is well-regarded by her trainer and she won well last time so she is another that has to enter calculations. This is a good race which can go the way of County Zen.
Alisar (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leader to 2nd, not fluent 5th, lost place after 6th, rallying when not clear run on bend after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 15, 13l behind Pips Assertive Way (10-5) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Blackthorn Boy (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, effort 4f out, weakened 3f out, eased well over 1f out, last of 9, well behind Hills of Home (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, mid division, hit 3rd, ridden, headway 3 out, 4th approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 16l behind Twist Magic (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Dec '05.
Carrickmines (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Always prominent, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd next, kept on same pace under pressure, 4th of 14, 8l behind Professor Muldoon (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl gf in Sept.
County Zen (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, out paced approaching last, hampered last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind I'msingingtheblues (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Edgeover 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Prominent in chasing group, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 22, 20l behind Helens Vision (10-8) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Invention (USA) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 5th, kept on, 4th of 20, 15l behind Mexican Bob (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Nodform William 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Jass (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Phar Again (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to go 3rd after 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Alsadaa (11-5) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gf.
Polyfast (FR) (9-10) Led, headed 100yds out, stayed on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Pakaradyssa (9-6) at Jallais 1m 4f Non-Thoroughbred in Apr.
Song of Songs 14-1 (11-2) Held up last, headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Osana (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Talenti (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Close up in 2nd, ridden approaching straight, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, 30l behind Puerto Rico (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) hvy in May '06 (Flat).
Zato (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 11th of 14, 14l behind Unshakable (8-8) at Epsom 1m 1f hcap (2) gs in Jun (Flat).
Katess (IRE) 6-4fav (10-10) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd beating Cee Cee Rider (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
