in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened and eased
tracked leader, led after 3f, headed 7f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, some progress over 4f out, not sustained
tracked leaders, weakened 4f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged left and led 2f out, headed inside final furlong
always towards rear
with leaders, weakened 5f out
led and keen, headed after 3f, ridden 7f out, led again over 3f out, weakening when headed 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, brief effort 2f out
held up towards rear, headway 6f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, not much room when weakening over 2f out
mid-division, headway 4f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden 7f out, headway over 4f out to chase leaders, weakened 2f out
held up and steadied start, soon switched left, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead well inside furlong
towards rear, some headway 2f out, not trouble leaders
always towards rear
towards rear, headway from over 1f out, not trouble leaders
Almizan showed improved form when returned to a similar trip to today's at Newmarket last time and, off his current mark, Mick Channon's gelding looks worth supporting in a race where the main dangers may come from Sovereign Dreamer and Quick. The last mentioned returns to the flat for the first time in a year and is potentially well treated on hurdles form. Representing the stable of Martin Pipe, Quick is impossible to rule out in a race that may not take a great deal of winning. Earlsfield Raider just gets in the weights proper and has had a confidence boosting success over hurdles since his latest start on the level and has to be respected, while Restart has shown a consistent level of form recently and should again be thereabouts. Tony Carroll's Spectested should have no problems with this trip and is another to consider along with French Mannequin, although she has to race from 2lbs out of the weights proper. Paul Cole's Sovereign Dreamer steps up in trip and may well improve for it so has to be respected, especially with Frankie Dettori taking the ride but the vote goes to Almizan, who is taken to make the most of what appears to be a favourable mark.
Almizan (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Dovedon Hero (8-12) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) gf.
My Legal Eagle (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 3f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Seifi (7-11) at Beverley 2m hcp (5) gd.
Bobsleigh 20-1 (9-6) Prominent until weakened over 2f out, 14th of 20, well behind Vicars Destiny (9-6) at York 2m 4f hcp (5) sft.
Sovereign Dreamer (USA) 5-2 (9-1) Made most, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 8, 2l behind Papeete (8-3) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (5) frm.
Restart (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Led, driven along 3f out, ridden and stayed on final 2f, headed close home, 2nd of 20, nk behind Vicars Destiny (9-6) at York 2m 4f hcp (5) sft.
Spectested (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, 3rd of 20, 5l behind Vicars Destiny (9-6) at York 2m 4f hcp (5) sft.
Quick 7-1 (9-3) Held up, headway 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Darn Good (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (E) gf in Jul.
French Mannequin (IRE) 11-2 (8-5) Led until headed inside final 2f, slightly hampered on rail over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Cantrip (8-4) at Bath 1m 5f fll hcp (5) frm.
