tracked leader, closer order approaching 3f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, edged right close home
led, soon clear, ridden 2f out, joined and headed inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
mid-division, some headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, always in rear
towards rear, effort and some progress over 2f out
tracked leaders, closer order 3f out, chased leader soon after, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
WESTERN ROOTS is the form pick to land the opener at the expense of Castellina and Gross Prophet. The selection won well in this grade at Brighton last time out and has every chance of following up if recapturing his form. He has been a good servant to his yard over the years and continues to pay his way now dropped to this claiming grade. Castellina has been racing over jumps this spring without much success, but his form prior to that in France had been decent. The ground may well be against him as all his winning flat form has been on the soft but Phillip Hobbs has his team of horses in good form of late so any market moves should be noted. Gross Prophet was tried over jumps last time out but is better judged by his win at Kempton prior to that. He has reached a level whereby he struggles in handicaps but at this level he still holds plenty of respect.
Gross Prophet 3-1fav (9-8) Close up on outside, pushed along and slightly outpaced 4f out, headway on outside 2f out, chased leader entering final furlong, led final 100 yards readily, won at Kempton 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol in Oct beating Blur (8-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Western Roots 15-8fav (8-5) Made all, soon well clear, unchallenged, won at Brighton 1m 2f clm stks (6) gd in Apr beating Benedict Spirit (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Chapter (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Held up in last trio, no headway final 2f, 9th of 13, 9l behind Saloon (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 11th of 14, 13l behind Calzaghe (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Irish Stream (USA) 33-1 (7-13) Slowly into stride, behind, short of room and switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 6l behind Apotheosis (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Personify 6-1 (8-11) Always behind, 10th of 11, 12l behind The Grey One (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Torrens (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort 2f out, kept on, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Aypeeyes (9-9) at Bath 1m 2f sell stks (6) gd in Apr.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Led early, held up in touch, stayed on one pace to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Smokey Rye (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
Red Current 16-1 (9-1) In touch, chased leader over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Aypeeyes (9-9) at Bath 1m 2f sell stks (6) gd in Apr.
Castellina (9-5) won at Deauville(FR) 1m 2f stk sft in Aug beating Menandros (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Poppy Red 25-1 (8-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Polish Power (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Apr.
Ophistrolie (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up, some headway when not clear run inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 8l behind Dimashq (8-8) at Warwick 1m 4f mdn clm (7) gd in Oct '05.
