tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always in rear
in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
held up, wide and headway to chase leaders over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
raced wide, in rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, hung right and weakened over 1f out
fly jumped start, raced wide in rear, not troubled leaders
never on terms
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly away, always in rear
raced wide, in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leader over 2f out, ridden and edged right to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Nonrunner
Red Wine has form here and arrives fit but is worth taking on in favour of LESLINGTAYLOR, with Warne's Way another to consider in a tight race. John Quinn's nine-year-old looked like making a very smart jumper at one stage but, whilst the gelding has gone well in decent contests, it's fair to say he's proved slightly disappointing overall. He returns to flat off a good mark though having been fourth at York last time in what was a better race, so with conditions ideal and a decent apprentice on board he's worth chancing at a decent price. Red Wine is a better horse on turf than he is on artificial surfaces, so the fact he races here off a higher mark than when held last time is not a concern. He's also a course and distance winner, so many people will give the veteran a chance but our feeling is one or two of the younger brigade will prove too strong for this admirable 11-year-old. One such horse could be Warne's Way who has often been highly tried over hurdles and indeed ran a blinder in a good race last time. Returned to the flat off what looks a competitive mark, Brendan Powell's runner enters calculations alongside Heathyards Junior representing last season's winning trainer Alan McCabe. This gelding has time on his side being a four-year-old and ran well last time when second to an in-form rival. He races off a 3lb higher mark today but that's entirely fair and a big run is expected. Agglestone Rock is another dual purpose performer who has claims but off this rating he's a bit to find with Warne's Way in our book, Amical Risks has been in good form of late but races from out of the handicap, whilst Ghufa has been operating at a moderate level and this represents a step up in class. Plenty of old favourites on display here, the best of which might be Leslingtaylor.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on towards finish, not reached leaders, 4th of 15, 1 3/4l behind Grandad Bill (8-4) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Made all, rider dropped whip over 1f out, kept on, pushed out, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f sell stks (6) gs in Oct beating Lost Soldier Three (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Warne's Way (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Behind, 10th and driven 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Newbury 1m 4f ladies hcap (5) sft in Oct beating Mista Rossa (9-8) by shd, 13 ran.
Heathyards Junior 8-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance over 1f out, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, shd behind Veloso (9-9) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Agglestone Rock 8-1 (9-8) Chased leaders over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind No Rules (9-6) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Holiday Cocktail 25-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Formidable Guest (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Starburst 9-4fav (9-11) Held up, towards rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on, 8th of 9, 8l behind Augustus John (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Polish Power (GER) 20-1 (9-8) Behind, driven over 3f out, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 6l behind Ahmedy (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Slick Mover (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Soon chased leader, ridden well over 2f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 8l behind Turjuman (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Red Wine 7-2fav (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Gamesters Lady (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
Comrade Cotton 20-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, never reached leaders, 7th of 12, 10l behind Desert Kiss (9-7) at Kempton 1m app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Jun.
Ghufa (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Towards rear, headway 4f out, effort 2f out, stayed on to chase winner entering final furlong, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Shannersburg (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks pol in Dec.
Astrolibra 7-1 (9-6) In rear, ridden halfway, outpaced from 4f out, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 12l behind Shadows Lengthen (10-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Sparkaway 10-1 (8-10) Held up behind, never a factor, 6th of 7, 9l behind Lady Mickataine (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dispol Diva 12-1 (8-4) Traced leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 8, 21l behind Daaweitza (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Royal Straight 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 8l behind Bombardier Wells (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol in Feb '09.
Amical Risks (FR) 6-4fav (8-9) Slowly into stride, headway 5f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Lady Mickataine (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Moscow Oznick 25-1 (8-10) Always behind, 11th of 12, 10l behind Danderek (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Mehendi (IRE) 4-1 (8-2) Dwelt in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 5, 4l behind Victory Quest (8-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
