steadied start, held up, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
held up, outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, headway under pressure 2f out, kept on, never troubled leaders
led, shaken up 3f out, soon clear, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra near finish
held up, pushed along 4f out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on under pressure final 2f, 3rd near finish, no impression
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not reached leaders
mid-division, lost place over 2f out, tailed off and eased over 1f out
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader throughout, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong to lead near finish
An open affair but last-year's winner Danzatrice comes here in the best form and he gets the nod ahead of Kyber and Haiban. The selection beat Kyber comfortably last time out at Musselburgh and whilst he has risen 5lbs in the weights for that success, he should run another big race on ground that suits. Whilst Kyber has a 4lb pull in the weights for that two-length defeat, it may not be enough to turn the tables. He is now 5lbs above his highest winning mark, but one horse who is handicapped to win is Mcqueen who has won off a much higher mark in the past. He returns to the flat today but needs to show that he is still in love with the game. Balakar stays well so should be feared, whilst Haiban is another Irish challenger who should be monitored for market support. Hugs Destiny is another for consideration if the ground continues to dry out, however Danzatrice is fancied to win again.
Haiban 20-1 (9-9) Chased leader in 2nd, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 17, 15l behind My Valley (9-5) at Galway 2m hcp 0-70 gs.
Danzatrice 5-1jt-fav (11-1) Behind, smooth headway from over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf beating Kyber (10-10) by 2l, 14 ran.
McQueen (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, not much room after 2f, soon lost place, pushed along over 9f out, weakened over 7f out, 7th of 10, 13l behind Madiba (9-2) at W'hampton 2m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Jul '06.
Balakar (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up, headway after halfway, 4th and ridden 3f out, 2nd and challenged 2f out, no extra straight, 6th of 17, 7l behind My Valley (9-5) at Galway 2m hcp 0-70 gs.
Sinatas (GER) 14-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden and beaten, 6th of 9, 7l behind Artless (10-1) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (5) gs in Jul.
Elaala (USA) 10-3 (9-8) Held up, headway halfway, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 11, 28l behind Galantos (9-11) at Southwell 2m banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
Quicuyo (GER) 40-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, 6l behind Miss Havisham (8-6) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Named At Dinner 80-1 (8-1) Always towards rear, 6th of 10, 9l behind Bronze Dancer (9-5) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (5) gf in Jun.
City Miss 100-1 (8-4) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 16l behind Artless (10-1) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (5) gs in Jul.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Prominent, ridden along over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Dispol Peto (8-13) at Catterick 1m 4f app hcp (6) gs in Jul.
Kyber 5-1jt-fav (10-10) Mid-division, smooth headway over 3f out, every chance until ridden over 1f out, bumped entering final furlong, soon one pace, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Danzatrice (11-1) at Musselburgh 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf.
