mid-division, chased leaders and effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on one pace
led 3f, tracked leader to over 3f out, weakening when hampered and checked over 2f out, soon in rear
steadied start, settled in rear, some moderate late headway, never dangerous
with leader, led over 9f out until headed 3f out, kept on until weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression, weakened quickly final furlong
behind, switched left over 2f out and hampered rival, never a factor
towards rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on and closed on leaders inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no headway when badly hampered and snatched up over 2f out, stayed on again from over 1f out, not troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed
mid-division, steady progress from over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, just held on
held up 5th, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, no headway when hampered and checked over 2f out, never nearer
held up 4th, ridden to lead 3f out, hard ridden and edged left final furlong, headed well inside final furlong and lost 3 places near finish
Nonrunner
A chance is taken on Prince Forever ahead of Mull Of Dubai and Bandama. A host of potentially well handicapped horses line up here having shown improved form over hurdles since making their last forays on the level and it would be no great surprise to see the likes of Bureaucrat, Wingman and King's Head mount challenges whilst Misty Dancer proved that it could be done by finishing second last year. Amanda Perrett provided the winner that year, just as she did in 2006 and she has two strong candidates this year. We prefer Bandama who is well handicapped, has run well fresh and is partnered by Ryan Moore who is the only jockey to have won on him. Mull Of Dubai is back on his career high mark following his win at Chester but he proved competitive from this rating last year and Tom Tate has him in good form. He should handle the conditions, is consistent and holds solid claims. The same can't be said of the selection but that should be factored into his price. He was the subject of a gamble in the Lincoln but raced too keenly and never threatened to deliver. His subsequent runs may appear disappointing on the face of it but look very much as though his connections have been teaching him to settle and his latest race at Chester suggested that they've achieved their aim. If that is the case then he suddenly looks very interesting as his pedigree provides promise that he'll stay this far, he's 8lbs lower than when contesting the Lincoln and his stable is in red hot form so we're more than happy to take a chance with PRINCE FOREVER.
Prince Forever (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden, stayed on from over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 5l behind Mull of Dubai (8-4) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Players Please (USA) 10-1 (9-5) Started slowly, prominent, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened quickly, 13th of 14, 25l behind Philatelist (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Capable Guest (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up, smooth headway on outer 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out, won at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May beating Fragrancy (8-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Come On Jonny (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Raced freely, led until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 34l behind Wing Express (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
John Terry (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Watamu (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr.
Mull of Dubai 13-2 (8-4) In rear, niggled along 4f out, headway over 2f out, not clear run briefly, switched left, soon led, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May beating Escape Route (9-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
King's Head (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 16l behind Silver Pivotal (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Misty Dancer 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and lost place 3f out, eased over 1f out, last of 15, 34l behind Regal Flush (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept.
Bandama (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, led briefly over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 21, 10l behind Malt Or Mash (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Nov.
Bureaucrat 10-1 (8-7) Led until headed 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Clipperdown (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Sept '05.
Fort Churchill (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 13, 28l behind Capable Guest (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Aureate 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 7f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 13, 2l behind Maslak (9-4) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Birkside 2-1fav (9-7) Mid-division on inside, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed final 100 yards, no extra near finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Chocolate Caramel (8-13) at York 1m 4f clm (4) gd in May.
Dzesmin (POL) 14-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 14l behind Birkside (9-1) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Wingman (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Held up in touch, ridden on outside 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Ardea Brave (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (4) pol in Sept '06.
Gavroche (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened final furlong, soon eased, 7th of 10, 14l behind Bauer (9-3) at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gf in Sept.
