mid-division, weakened 5f out, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, always in the rear, tailed off and eased over 1f out
in touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra
mid-division, ridden over 5f out, hard-ridden over 3f out, plugged on moderately
led, headed after 1f, led again over 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up and keen, steady headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace
in touch, every chance 3f out, soon ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden out
always in the rear, tailed off when eased over 1f out
always in the rear, soon tailed off
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, hung left and weakening from over 2f out
pulled hard and keen, led after 1f, headed over 6f out, soon ridden, weakened 3f out and eased
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, not reached leaders
Tavalu can win again at the expense of Sonnengold and Flexible Friend. The selection won a little handicap on the all weather at Great Leighs last month. Prior to that he had spells over hurdles where he was successful last summer. It is a fact that he is a difficult horse to win with but coming from a win confidence will be high in the Gary Moore camp and if he reproduces his best he could be difficult to beat. Sonnengold is yet to win on the level but has more than enough ability to win a race of this nature. He has run some sound races in defeat of late and can once again enter the frame. Flexible Friend comes from the same yard and reverts to the flat for the first time since coming from Dermot Weld in Ireland. His hurdle form looks moderate and more will be needed to score here. So for the winner we return to Tavalu.
Flexible Friend (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Led, clear briefly 5f out, strongly pressed and headed under 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 12l behind Windbeneathmywings (9-2) at Tramore 1m 4f hcp 0-75 hvy in Aug.
Tavalu (USA) 7-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, led 2f out, stayed on when challenged, won at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jun beating Medieval Maiden (8-7) by a nk, 8 ran.
Bold Josr 66-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, ridden 4f out, always struggling, 9th of 13, 18l behind Lady Jinks (7-11) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd.
Wotchalike (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Trigger's Friend (8-12) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Arabian Moon (IRE) 9-4 (10-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, running on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Our Glenard (8-8) at Brighton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) frm in Aug '06.
Palace Walk (FR) 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, last of 14, 22l behind Rose Bien (8-10) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun '06.
Ronsard (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 7th of 10, 8l behind Bijou Dan (8-12) at Catterick 1m 6f sll (6) gs in Jun.
My Legal Eagle (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Held up, headway on inside over 4f out, one pace from over 2f out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Great View (9-10) at Chepstow 1m 4f app hcp (5) sft.
Sonnengold (GER) 13-8fav (8-8) Led, headed over 6f out, led again over 4f out, headed well over 1f out, faded, 4th of 8, 8l behind Great View (9-10) at Chepstow 1m 4f app hcp (5) sft.
Kosciusko 10-1 (8-9) Towards rear, kept on final furlong, 8th of 17, 10l behind Rich Harvest (8-10) at Chepstow 7f sll (6) gf in Jun.
Fine Edge 100-1 (9-4) Always in rear, never a factor, last of 14, 43l behind dhtrs Pivotal Answer (8-12) & Ideally (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs in Jul '07.
Queen Excalibur 22-1 (8-6) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Libre (9-0) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Balais Folly (FR) 20-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, steady headway 6f out, edged left over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 3l behind York Cliff (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Poppy Gregg 66-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, raced wide, never going well in rear, tailed off, last of 10, 28l behind Neve Lieve (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 3f fll hcp (5) gf.
Phoenix Hill (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) In touch, lost place over 3f out, eased, 9th of 12, 25l behind Squirtle (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Madam Vouvray 12-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Rock 'n' Roller (9-9) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
