held up in rear, raced far side from over 3f out, headway from over 2f out stayed on
slow into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on
mid-division, headway to lead over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
chased leader, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
slow into stride, behind, raced far side from over 3f out, soon headway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, no impression
A tough finale to solve and APACHE NATION is the pick to land it for the Michael Dods yard with the in-form apprentice Frederick Tylicki an eyecatching booking. The selection has yet to score this season but has shaped with enough promise of late to suggest a handicap of this type should be well within his grasp. Grandad Bill and Oeuf A La Neige are others to consider. Grandad Bill is 7lb higher for a victory around this course and and additional two furlongs three weeks ago while Oeuf A La Neige steps up in trip and while consistent, is rather frustrating. Anduril is well-handicapped on the best of his form and could provide some each way value while Wednesdays Boy returned to form with a win over course and distance last time and is another to consider but Apache Nation is selected to land the finale. (John McDonnell)
Grandad Bill (IRE) 7-2 (8-4) Tracked leader, headway to lead 2f out, ridden clear approaching final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Chookie Hamilton (9-2) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Distant Pleasure 12-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100yds, soon clear, won at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd beating Dendor (9-6) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Apache Nation (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 5th of 10, 4l behind Wednesdays Boy (8-13) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Oeuf A La Neige 3-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Angel Voices (9-13) at Hamilton 6f app hcp (6) sft.
Wednesdays Boy (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead close home, won at Ayr 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs beating Papa's Princess (9-6) by 1l, 10 ran.
Anduril 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden, effort 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Time To Regret (9-6) at Thirsk 1m sll hcp (6) sft.
Kielty's Folly 16-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Trans Sonic (8-13) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Tom Tower (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden halfway, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Almost Married (9-7) at Ayr 6f app hcp (5) gs.
Baylaw Star 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, soon driven, never troubled leaders, 9th of 14, 8l behind Le Chiffre (9-2) at Beverley 7f clm (5) gs.
Polish Star 18-1 (8-4) Led after 2f, ridden, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 24l behind King of The Moors (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Linden's Lady 28-1 (8-8) Took keen hold in mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon beaten, 13th of 14, 19l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Mangano 14-1 (8-10) Always behind, 11th of 16, 15l behind Time To Regret (9-6) at Thirsk 1m sll hcp (6) sft.
Writ (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Chased leader 6f out, ridden and every chance when squeezed out and lost place over 2f out, behind after, last of 11, 11l behind Ashes Regained (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (4) pol in May '07.