prominent, led 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division, outpaced over 5f out
never better than mid-division
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, some late headway, but was never near to challenge
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra close home
slowly into stride and held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, kept on
towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final 2f
towards rear, never a factor
led, headed after 2f, remained in touch until weakened 4f out
mid-division, chased along over 5f out, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along over 5f out, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, effort over 3f out, no impression
in touch, led after 2f, headed 4f out, weakened over 2f
Romil Star, Bollin Thomas and Lucky Judge are the three for the shortlist in this competitive event and the nomination is given to Romil Star. The selection was a little disappointing at Southwell last time but he is dropped in trip today which should play to his strengths as he is a course and distance winner, and if he can run anywhere near his best then he will be difficult to beat. Bollin Thomas is back on the level after a run over hurdles and this looks less competitive then some of his recent assignments and he should go well. Lucky Judge is another who has been running over hurdles and he fell last time when a beaten favourite. However, he looks a little high in the weights at present and is probably best watched. Peters Imp is a course and distance winner from a shrewd yard so is worth noting in the market, but for the winner we return to Romil Star.
Court of Appeal 5-2jt-fav Soon with leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 1m 4f clm fbs in Apr beating Maniatis by 1l, 7 ran.
Loop The Loup 10-1 Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 17l behind Ponderon at Doncaster 2m hcp 0-95 (C) gd in Nov '03.
Lucky Judge 4-1 Held up in touch, effort over 4f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 7, 7l behind Master Wells at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-85 (D) gs in Aug.
Romil Star (GER) 11-4 In rear, headway and effort 3f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Court Of Appeal at Southwell 1m 4f clm fbs in Apr.
Bollin Thomas 8-1 Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 14, 16l behind Barking Mad at Southwell 1m 4f amt clm stk gf in Apr.
Gold Guest 6-1 Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 9th of 13, 8l behind Rare Coincidence at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp pol in Apr.
Red Bluff (IRE) 100-1 Always behind, last of 19, well behind Archirondel at Beverley 1m 2f hcp gd in Apr.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 100-1 Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, 18th of 19, 34l behind Archirondel at Beverley 1m 2f hcp gd in Apr.