In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, short lived effort over 2f out
in touch, headway 2f out, chased winner and one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, never better than finishing position
always in rear
towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on to chase leading pair final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
led, headed approaching 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders, led approaching 2f out, pushed out
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
The short list contains Carmenero, Merrymadcap and Indian Edge, with the selection being Merrymadcap. Carmenero was not beaten far over course and distance last time on his seasonal return from his current mark. He is better drawn today and is entitled to go well. Working through Street Warrior, he is closely weighted with Barons Spy based on this year's/ last year's form, although the latter lacks a seasonal run. Desert Dreamer's Sandown run last time augured well for the future although he has flattered to deceive in the past, while Merrymadcap has form enough to go well, including under today's conditions, and was beaten half-a-length off a similar mark in this race last year. His summer 2006 Windsor run would give Full Victory a chance, while the course and distance winner Gracechurch has dropped to a winning mark if in the mood. Indian Edge is a dual course and distance winner that is on a competitive mark, while Apex has been making hay recently on the all-weather but needs to keep the improvement coming on Turf if he is to feature. My Michelle is another that needs to find improvement back on Turf, while Birkside has become disappointing. With wide draws possibly legislating against the chances of a number of the others, we return to the selection, which is Merrymadcap.
Carmenero (GER) 15-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, squeezed through and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Street Warrior (8-11) at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Apr.
Coup d'Etat 15-2 (9-4) Close up, ridden over 2f out, went moderate 3rd 2f out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind General Knowledge (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Desert Dreamer (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, driven and ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bold Diktator (11-2) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 9, 4l behind William's Way (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Gracechurch (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 15l behind Ollie George (8-13) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in Apr.
Indian Edge 10-3 (9-2) Made all, ridden over 2f out, hard pressed throughout final furlong, kept on gamely, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr beating Hits Only Cash (9-0) by a hd, 9 ran.
Apex 4-1 (8-1) Held up, headway 4f out, led 2f out, hung right under pressure well inside final furlong, just held on, disqualified and placed 2nd, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Sugitani (9-1) by a shd. Later dsq to 2nd, 9 ran.
Lavenham (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In rear, plenty to do 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
