behind, headway and in touch after 6f, led over 6f out, headed 3f out, soon ridden and one pace
tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway 6f out, led 3f out, soon clear, easily
mid-division, outpaced 4th out, ridden and kept on final 2f, no impression
chased leaders to over 4f out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 6f out, chased leaders over 3f out, kept on
chased leaders, outpaced 4th out, soon beaten
in touch, headway 6f out, chased leaders over 3f out, stayed on same pace
prominent, outpaced over 3f out, soon beaten
raced keenly in mid-division, lost place 7f out, tailed off 3f out
reminders and behind after 6f, soon lost touch, pulled up halfway
led, headed 6f out, outpaced3f out, soon weakened
held up, outpaced 5f out, soon weakened
Making it onto the shortlist in the finale are Tazbar, Sir Boreas Hawk and Mrdeegeethegeegee, with the vote going to Tazbar. Tazbar has done little wrong in winning a bumper and then finding only a fair type too good for him on his latest start. Overall, we reckon that he holds the strongest form on offer and he gets the vote. Indian Storm won well on his debut and has to be considered, even though the race he won was not strong. Mrdeegeethegeegee attracted money on his debut and then found all bar an odds-on chance too good for him at Kelso last time and he should also be considered. Navelina's latest run suggested that she is improving, while Piscataqua is an interesting newcomer. Sir Boreas Hawk came good at Hexham last time, winning an ordinary race but he still has to be given some thought today. Finally, Festival King showed some promise on his Haydock debut and ought to be better than that, although his stable is a little quiet at the moment and, on breeding, you would think that Mr Tee Pee would have better to come but he will have to build on his debut effort. Once again, then, the selection is Tazbar.
Indian Storm (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Held up, good headway to chase leader after 5f, led over 3f out, soon clear, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd beating Legal Joy (10-13) by 12l, 11 ran.
Sir Boreas Hawk 5-6fav (10-7) In touch, headway to chase leader 3f out, led 1f out, pushed out, won at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Apr beating Elaeagnus (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tazbar (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 4f out, chased winner well over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Harrowman (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd.
Festival King (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 26l behind Harrowman (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd.
Mrdeegeethegeegee (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Watch My Back (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f nhf (6) gf in May.
Mr Tee Pee (IRE) 5-4fav (10-11) Pulled hard, held up, headway 7f out, every chance 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, 5th of 12, 36l behind Fourty Acers (11-1) at Stratford 2m nhf (H) gd in Sept '05.
Northern Vic (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 13, well behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Piscataqua Kayf Tara gelding, half-brother to 6f winner Arlington Lady and bumper winner Acushnet.
Terreros 80-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 16, 27l behind Harrowman (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd.
The Jolly Trolley (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Behind, headway halfway, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 22l behind Aitch Doubleyou (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in May.
Coverdale Lady 80-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 13th of 14, 33l behind Middleton Dene (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gd.
Ettrbee (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, pulled hard and led after 3f, raced wide, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 36l behind Indian Storm (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd.
Fingermouse 66-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling from halfway, virtually pulled up over 3f out, last of 11, well behind Super Nick (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Oct.
Justaharf 50-1 (10-4) Led, held over 5f out, soon outpaced, no impression final 2f, 4th of 13, 25l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Navelina 66-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Middleton Dene (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gd.
Panama Mermaid (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 17, well behind Issaquah (10-9) at Hexham 2m mrs nhf (5) gs.
