led, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, one pace close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression final furlong
always towards rear, never troubled leaders
very slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, ridden and one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on well final furlong, not reached winner
prominent, every chance final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, stayed on final 2f
Top weight may not be enough to stop JUST SAM, who arrives here with a solid profile and can follow up last week's runaway success at Newcastle despite carrying 6lb extra today; Mandalay King and Methaaly are others capable of making the selection pull out all the stops, while Apache Ridge is respected but it's hard to envisage him turning around last Friday's placing with the selection. Captain Scooby - a previous c&d winner - is another worth noting in the betting as he is also well handicapped just now. He will need to have thrived since he was last seen out, though. Methaaly is a consistent type that will be hard to keep out of the frame if he runs to his best. Michael Mullineaux is keeping the seven-year-old busy lately and, having won off a 5lb higher mark last May, he also fits the bill in terms of handicapping. Mandalay King is a frustrating type that can occasionally ruin his chances by starting very slowly. However, that didn't stop him winning a much better race at York last season, so he shouldn't be underestimated despite needing to post a career best effort today. Therefore, the consistent Just Sam looks a more reliable option here. A deluge of rain before the start would be a worry. However, Just Sam has everything else in her favour and it's a good bet that she will adequately cope with her penalty.
Just Sam (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Tawzeea (9-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Apache Ridge (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Close up, chased winner over 4f out until ridden and edged left over 2f out, hung left and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Just Sam (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Captain Scooby 20-1 (9-1) Always behind stands side, 12th of 13, 8l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-1) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Methaaly (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, behind, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Lucky Dan (8-12) at Chester 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Nacho Libre 4-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 27l behind Hip Hip Hooray (8-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Mandalay King (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, kept on, one pace towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Gap Princess (9-4) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Klynch 20-1 (8-8) Raced stands side, slowly away and always behind, 17th of 18, 20l behind Tubby Isaacs (8-9) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Hazelrigg (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Raced centre, chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Tubby Isaacs (8-9) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Elijah Pepper (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Chased leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Ponting (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Future Gem 28-1 (8-12) Behind far side, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 20l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-1) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Bid For Gold 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 11, 5l behind Wyatt Earp (9-2) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
