prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
jumped right at start, went mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, was one pace final furlong
led for 1f, headed and remained in touch, pushed along over 3f out and soon behind
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong to lead post
always in rear
towards rear, never dangerous
always in rear division
was never better than mid-division
hampered at start and never a factor
mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
prominent, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, headed post
This competitive affair on paper can go the way of Along The Nile over Arthurs Dream, Swell Lad, Comeintothespace and Gurrun to name but a few. Although not done any favours by the draw, Along The Nile has leading claims on his improving form this season. Lynda Ramsden's charge was put in his place by John Forbes at Hamilton, but shaped as though a win was in the offing, and as he is well weighted compared to last year, we take him to lose his maiden tag under Johnny Murtagh. Arthurs Dream caught the eye when staying on into second behind Neutrino at Chepstow last time and is another that is out to break his duck. Only lightly raced, he can improve during the course of the season. Swell Lad drops back in trip after trying to dominate over further at Thirsk last time, while Comeintothespace has been fairly consistent since winning at Wolverhampton in February. Gurrun held on by a whisker at Brighton, but has more to do than in that apprentice affair, but the likes of Royal wedding, Fen Game and Carpet Ride all come from top yards and would not have to improve too much to figure. Despite topweight, we reckon that Along The Nile can come good.
Along The Nile 3-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind John Forbes (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Arthurs Dream (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ran on final furlong to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Neutrino (9-4) at Chepstow 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Royal Wedding 22-1 (8-6) Led until headed 2f out, ridden and soon weakened, finished well behind, 7th of 8, 26l behind Profit's Reality (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Fly To Dubai (9-2) at Carlisle 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Swell Lad 8-1 (8-1) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 19l behind Bobby Charles (9-6) at Thirsk 1m 4f stk (5) sft in Apr.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Keen, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 11, 13l behind Im Spartacus (9-11) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) fbs in Dec.
Fen Game (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Behind, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 13l behind Industrial Spirit (9-0) at Warwick 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Carpet Ride 20-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, shaken up 2f out, never able to challenge, 7th of 12, 12l behind Pearl King (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Take A Mile (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no progress and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 17, 15l behind Davenport (9-4) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Good Investment 50-1 (8-6) Outpaced and behind, never dangerous, 13th of 14, well behind Spinning Coin (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Kristalchen 20-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up, headway after 2f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 15l behind Mt Desert (9-2) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Three Boars 40-1 (9-0) Slowly away, behind, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 12l behind National Trust (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
King Zafeen (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final 2f, last of 7, 45l behind John Forbes (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Mary Gray 33-1 (8-10) Chased leaders to halfway, 9th of 19, 9l behind The Pen (8-4) at Redcar 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) sft in Nov.
Generous Measure 150-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 17, 8l behind Industrial Spirit (9-0) at Warwick 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Gurrun 5-2jt-fav (8-10) Led for 2f, remained in touch, led over 1f out, joined and hard pressed inside final furlong, just held on, won at Brighton 1m 2f app hcp (6) frm beating Mr Whizz (8-13) by a shd, 7 ran.
Eborarry (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 23l behind Varenka (8-9) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (D) gs in Aug.
Forest Viking (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) Ridden over 3f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Sharp N Frosty (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gs in Apr.
