in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on, one pace
led ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, steady headway on outer from 4f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, pressed from over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
very slowly away, always in rear, behind final 3f
The only recent winning form to consider came over hurdles. Kelso winner Sendali needs some cut in the ground to show his best, but Bandanaman, who scored over timber at Sedgefield in August, finished second back on the level at Redcar last week. He finished a length in front of THEY ALL LAUGHED on that occasion, but the latter is fancied to turn the tables today and repeat last year's victory in this race off a 5lb lower mark. Drop The Hammer was runner-up last year but is struggling for form at present, while Heart Of Dubai has yet to win in 14 starts on the Flat.
Bandanaman (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner last 100 yards, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind King In Waiting (9-7) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Drop The Hammer 14-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, pushed along 5f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 14l behind King's Counsel (8-13) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Ultimate Quest (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Steadied start and switched left to rail, in rear, steady headway over 3f out, no impression, 5th of 12, 20l behind Spruzzo (8-7) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Heart of Dubai (USA) 16-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on entering final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 5l behind Capable Guest (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Sendali (FR) 16-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, no chance final 3f, tailed off, 12th of 17, 37l behind Gaselee (9-12) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Spiritonthemount (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Started slowly and reminders after start, headway to go prominent after 3f, led over 10f out, clear halfway until ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Six Of Clubs (8-13) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
They All Laughed 11-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind King In Waiting (9-7) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Endeavor 40-1 (8-2) Always towards rear, 8th of 9, 39l behind Aleatricis (8-9) at Ayr 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (6) gd in Jul '08.