soon led, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened soon after
soon tailed off
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear, pushed out
mid-division, ridden, headway over 2f out, chased clear winner final furlong, no impression
broke well, led briefly, stayed prominent, ridden, close up 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, never dangerous
slowly into stride, hard ridden 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on, no chance with leaders
tracked leaders, close up over 2f out, soon beaten
The fitting of blinkers can provide the spark for Den's Gift to get off the mark for the season. Optimus is capable of shaking them all up if he is fit for his reappearance, while The Snatcher and Full Victory are others to keep tabs on in the betting. The last named has been struggling with the handicapper for a while and may need to drop a few pounds in the weights. Still, he is consistent and cannot be ruled out from making the frame. The Snatcher hasn¿t won for quite a while and is in danger of becoming frustrating. However, he starts the season from a very attractive mark and, with Patrick Hills taking 5lb off his back with his claim, the son of Indian Danehill is one to seriously keep in mind for the weeks ahead when he has proved his fitness. However, Den's Gift has no doubts on that score and, with most of his rivals having questions to answer; this appears to be a solid chance for the Clive Cox-trained top weight to muscle his way to victory.
Den's Gift (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Edged right throughout, led 2f, chased leaders after, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind The Osteopath (8-10) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Optimus (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Held up in rear of main group, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Watchful (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Danski 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 5l behind Cape Hawk (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
The Snatcher (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Led to over 4f out, stayed tracking leader, led again over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Waterline Twenty (8-8) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Full Victory (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1/2l behind Look So (8-10) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Master Mahogany 12-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind Cusoon (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov '06.
Harare 12-1 (8-6) In rear, headway 5f out, ridden well over 1f out, hung left entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Count Ceprano (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Roodolph 20-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, every chance over 1f out, carried head high, chased winner inside final furlong, found no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Young Bertie (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Davenport (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 13th of 17, 24l behind Granston (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Justcallmehandsome 7-1 (8-7) Soon chasing leader, led over 2f out, clear well over 1f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Yes One (9-2) by 2l, 8 ran.
