held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, unable to quicken entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish to grab 3rd post
held up in rear, headway on outside over 5f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, not much room when eased last strides, lost 3rd post
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
dictated modest pace, ridden when clear well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in 4th, ridden 3f out, outpaced 2f out, no impression after
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, edged left close home
took keen hold, tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
An interesting stayers' race where the good recent form of Micky Hammond may help AMIR PASHA get home in front, though there is no shortage of opposition in the form of Spiders Star, Smugglers Bay, Aaman and Spring Breeze. It is always good to have course form here and Spiders Star, Spring Breeze and Dan's Heir have that in spades, though the latter has a lengthy absence and a very quiet spell for his handler to overcome. Spring Breeze has claims if able to build on his Nottingham effort, though from 4lbs higher than his last winning mark, dual course and distance scorer Spiders Star should go very well after a recent pipe-opener. This is much quicker than the Fibresand on which Aaman won twice over 1m 6f in January and February, and he needs to prove himself on it, though the yard is not in the habit of wasting trips to this venue. Smugglers Bay was not disgraced behind runaway winner Hollins at York and is short-list material, though the vote goes to Amir Pasha. The five-year-old went well here on fast ground last time and does not know how to run a bad race here. From a 1lb lower mark and with his pilot's claim, we will side with him to get back to winning ways today.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Raced in last place of main group, headway over 3f out soon chased leaders, switched right 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Hollins (9-4) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Spiders Star 11-1 (9-6) Raced in last place, switched right 3f out, ridden and headway when hung left over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Silent Lucidity (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Amir Pasha (UAE) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left under pressure 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind They All Laughed (8-12) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Decibel 16-1 (10-0) Led, set steady pace, quickened 3f out, headed well over 2f out, soon ridden, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 9l behind Royal Swain (10-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf.
Spring Breeze 5-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4f out, rallied final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Silent Lucidity (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Dan's Heir 5-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 30l behind Miss Holly (8-13) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan '07.
Haka Dancer (USA) 20-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear and keen, headway to lead over 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 10l behind Savaronola (10-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Aaman (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Led after 2f, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 29l behind Silent Lucidity (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
