held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, behind, detached 5f out
held up in rear, ridden 4f out, soon lost touch
chased leading trio, challenged over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on towards finish
made all, ridden 2f out, ran on
pressed winner, every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, raced keenly, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
A contest devoid of much in the way of recent form so LIBRE is the most token of picks with Inside Story and Ermine Grey others of note. Frank Jordan's nine-year-old has historically landed one or two touches for connections and he is off a career low mark of 50 this afternoon. He ran respectably enough in a similar contest at the track but even that would not be reason enough to be lumping on with the housekeeping. Inside Story is still 2lb higher than his last winning mark. He was once useful when trained by Mick Easterby though has lost his way. Ermine Grey ran a complete shocker at Southwell last time out but the grey has won around here off the same mark and has to enter calculations. Spring Secret won off a mark of 57 at Bath and found only Petomic too good at the Bank Holiday meeting. It will be interesting to see how the market reacts after that rival takes his chances in the first division. Top Seed was beaten by a cricket score on debut for new connections and looks a shaky proposition even allowing for that being a return from a sizeable absence. Xtravaganza makes a belated first run for Jamie Snowden having left the John Hills yard in the interim. It is to be hoped that the cream rises in this dire affair and Libre, while perfectly exposed, is the recommended selection.
Inside Story (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Pulled hard mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 6l behind Zennerman (8-9) at Nottingham 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Xtravaganza (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up in touch on inside, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Pocketwood (9-11) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcap (5) sft in Oct.
Top Seed (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Always in rear, last of 12, well behind Love In The Park (10-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug.
Ermine Grey 13-2 (9-3) Soon outpaced in rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 18l behind Byron Bay (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jun.
Spring Secret 6-1 (9-0) Raced far side, tracked winner, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Petomic (8-9) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Libre 16-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Dr Wintringham (8-13) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Aug.
Komreyev Star 11-1 (8-6) Raced wide, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 6l behind Almahaza (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Heaven Or Hell (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Raced centre, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 16, 11l behind Hollow Green (8-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo sll (6) hvy in Sep '08.
Azharia 4-1 (8-10) Mid-division, effort to chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Whisky Jack (9-4) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Avonlini 40-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 18l behind Ordoney (9-9) at Redcar 7f mdn auc stks (5) gf in Aug.
