in touch, 4th and ridden after 3 out, plugged on one pace from next
raced wide in rear, hit 3rd and next, driven and lost touch after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
tracked leader, led 3 out, clear before next easily
in touch, hit 7th, weakened soon after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 6th, soon struggling and pulled up before next, bled from the nose
led until after 2nd, prominent, led 5th to 6th, driven and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leaders next, went 2nd 2 out, disputing well held 2nd when driven and hung badly right flat
prominent, led after 2nd until 5th, regained lead 6th, blundered next, headed 3 out, disputing well held 2nd when carried right flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
SANTERA is fancied to make the most of this drop in grade with the trip on the short side for Heir To Be; Cruise Director could be best of the rest. Alex Hales' mare has been running consistently well in handicap company and deserved her recent success at Fakenham where she ran on strongly with the first two home finishing clear of the field. She has a little to do at the weights but the wonderfully consistent Heir To Be is competing over a trip that is short of his best and that could make the difference. The shortest distance that he has won at is two miles five and he may have to settle for a place. Cruise Director's chance is aided by his rider's 10lb claim but his pilot has had little experience of riding in public; he, too, may require a stiffer test of stamina to be seen at his best. Son Of Erin is worth a check for signs of market confidence but more obvious claims are held by Perlon; Gary Moore's charge may prove capable of better than he showed last time but he was well held so the claims of Santera are preferred.
Santera (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Hampered 1st, held up, good headway well over 2 out, ridden to chase leader over 1 out, challenged approaching last, soon led, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gf beating Edgefour (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Sriology (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Chased winner until approaching 4th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, 16l behind Silver By Nature (11-8) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb '08.
Heir To Be 2-1fav (11-3) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, hit 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 6f clm hdl (5) gd beating Stance (10-9) by 4l, 6 ran.
Son Of Erin (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 2f, 2nd halfway, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 17th of 23, 40l behind Our Musician (11-7) at Cork 2m 2f N H flat gd in Mar.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, soon narrow lead, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Stance (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f sell hdl (5) gf.
Ar An Shron 66-1 (9-9) Prominent, ridden approaching 8th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Old Brigade (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Shanahan (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 4th until 6th, lost place 3 out, ridden and plugged on after next, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Dee Cee Elle (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf.
Perlon (FR) 7-2 (10-10) Led to 2nd, chased leader, led 5th, driven and joined 3 out, soon headed, held when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 10, 26l behind Treaty Flyer (10-7) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gf.
Cruise Director 5-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, tracked leaders 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, soon faded, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Miss Phoebe (10-1) at Hereford 2m 4f clm hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Code (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened after 7th, tailed off, 7th of 11, 30l behind Newsday (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf.