led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, behind, headway 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened final furlong
held up, not clear run over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, no impression
keen, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and ran on to lead towards finish
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged left, headed towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway when switched left over 1f out, stayed on
Withdrawn
A number of these can be given chances but we will just side with Oldenway ahead of Stretton, Trouble Mountain, Low Cloud, Gavroche, and Blue Patrick. The things we like about the selection are that he is back to a winning mark, will appreciate the drop in trip from his latest run - in which he suggested he might be coming to hand - and is better drawn than one of his main rivals, Gavroche. Gavroche enjoyed a purple patch last summer, winning three times, including over course and distance from a one-pound higher mark. His latest Newmarket effort suggested that he was coming into form this time around and, as such, he commands a lot of respect. The course and distance winner, Castleshane, is fairly weighted based on his winning form of two years ago, while McBain is capable of running well of today's mark, and his confidence may have been restored after some good hurdling efforts. Stretton pops up in his turn and this dual course and distance winner is competitively weighted, while the handicapper might have Arabie now. Trouble Mountain is fairly weighted and, given that his stable is in very good form, might go well. Low Cloud ran well here off a six-pound higher mark last summer and a return to that level of form gives him a good chance. Finally, at best, Rani Two is another who cannot be dismissed, while Blue Patrick comes here in good heart and his latest run can be ignored as he stumbled leaving the gates. Overall, though, we will stick with Oldenway.
Castleshane (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out, 11th of 15, 8l behind Blue Spinnaker (9-2) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (B) gf in May '04.
Gavroche (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Trew Class (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in May.
McBain (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 17th of 19, 24l behind Navado (9-4) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (B) gf in Sept '03.
Stretton (IRE) 25-1 (7-13) Always behind, 15th of 16, 8l behind Blue Monday (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Arabie 12-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance and edged right inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Boppys Princess (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in May.
Lucayan Dancer 5-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 16, 8l behind Jake Black (8-4) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) gd.
Bravemore (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to dispute lead from 3f out until weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Blue Torpedo (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Jake Black (8-4) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) gd.
Hazewind 7-2fav (10-0) Always in touch, chased leaders 4f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Wind Chime (9-4) at Bath 1m hcp (5) gf.
Low Cloud 10-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Kaymich Perfecto (8-4) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in May.
Oldenway 11-2 (8-4) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 10l behind Sporting Gesture (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
Blue Patrick 7-4fav (9-5) Stumbled start, held up, headway over 2f out, effort when not clear run over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Strong Hand (9-7) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in May.
Rani Two 25-1 (8-4) Held up, headway on inside over 3f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 7l behind Boppys Princess (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in May.
