sat down in stalls, lost all chance, allowed to come home in own time, not recover
held up towards rear, effort, switched left to inside just inside final 2f, soon ridden, never reached leaders
chased leader, led over 1f out, in command final furlong, driven out
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden, edged left over 2f out, soon weakened
switched left from wide draw, held up in rear, no chance when hung left final 2f
slowly into stride, held up in rear, still plenty to do over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on strongly to take 3rd on line
mid-division, pushed along halfway, one pace when not much room on rail just inside final 2f
soon led, headed over 1f out, chased winner until inside final furlong, faded
pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
mid-division, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner
took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
soon chasing leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
It may be third time lucky for Prince Namid, who is preferred to Gift Horse and Joseph Henry amongst others. Ann Duffield's horses are hitting form at the right time and the selection has also made a welcome return to form following a generally disappointing 2007. The upside to his barren year is his declining handicap mark which is 9lbs lower than his last winning mark and it's of little concern that he's out of the weights here. He has finished runner-up in the last two renewals of this race from a 10lb higher mark last year and from 15lbs higher in 2006. Whilst that may point to him being a declining force, he shaped with much more promise last time and has his optimum conditions. Dandy Nicholls has had a stranglehold on this race and is mob-handed again. The pick of his runners may be the 2005 winner Gift Horse who has failed to deliver more than once since his golden period but simply can't be written off. He was heavily backed the last time Spencer was up and finished full of running having been given too much to do; that would be the concern again. Joseph Henry hasn't won for a long while and hasn't made the frame in three visits here but he usually sets out to make all and looks well drawn to try and do that here. He's not too badly treated, is in reasonable form and we can see him running into the frame but PRINCE NAMID appeals as the likelier winner.
Machinist (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders far side, driven over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 7th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Masta Plasta (8-11) at York 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Pearly Wey 16-1 (8-9) Soon behind stands side, never dangerous, 27th of 28, 13l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Mac Gille Eoin 14-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 10, 8l behind Jimmy Styles (8-12) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.
Joseph Henry 9-2 (8-7) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra near finish, 4th of 11, 3/4l behind Celtic Sultan (9-4) at Chester 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Obe Gold 2-1fav (9-3) Soon pushed along in rear, headway on outer approaching final furlong, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Came Back (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcap (3) pol in May.
Gift Horse 20-1 (8-5) Raced far side in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 19th of 25, 11l behind Off The Record (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd in May.
Pawan (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Viking Spirit (9-10) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) sft in May.
Idle Power (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Made all, shaken up inside final furlong, kept on gamely and always holding on, won at Goodwood 7f hcap (4) sft in May beating The Snatcher (9-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Halsion Chancer 10-3fav (9-3) In touch, ridden 2f out, effort entering final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Fromsong (8-13) by a nk, 9 ran.
Our Faye 33-1 (8-3) Raced stands side, held up, effort halfway, soon weakened, last of 25, 18l behind Off The Record (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd in May.
Sweet Pickle 15-2 (8-8) In touch, effort 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Came Back (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcap (3) pol in May.
Lucayos 20-1 (8-11) Slowly away, soon chasing leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 12l behind Kyle (9-2) at Windsor 6f hcap (4) gs.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Ripon 6f hcap (3) sft beating Valery Borzov (9-11) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Skhilling Spirit 25-1 (8-7) Prominent, no impression when edged right inside final furlong, 8th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Zaahid (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf in May.
Angus Newz 11-1 (8-7) Led, headed halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 16l behind Ajigolo (8-4) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd in May.
Jilly Why (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Steadied start, keen, held up, ridden and outpaced from 3f out, last of 8, 18l behind Dixey (8-7) at Leicester 7f fll stk (2) gd.
Prince Namid 17-2 (8-1) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Inter Vision (9-4) at Catterick 6f hcap (4) gf in May.
