speed to halfway
always behind
made all, ridden 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, readily
behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
held up, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders, chased winner over 2f out, one pace under pressure final furlong
hanging right throughout, chased leaders to halfway
chased leaders over 3f
slowly away, held up in rear, not clear run approaching 2f out, soon switched left to stands rail, ran on inside final furlong
awkward start, chased leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Bluebok might provide the winning answer here, and he is selected ahead of Peopleton Brook and Magic Glade. Bluebok finished fifth at Epsom last time, in a race that many of today's opponents contested. Having left the impression that he would have finished closer with a clear run, he can set about proving the point today. There is no doubt that Peopleton Brook is very well handicapped based on his Lingfield winning mark of last May, in which he beat Bluebok, so you never know. Mornin Reserves has a long absence to defy, even though he would hold good claims based on his 2003 form. Golden Dixie has been given a chance by the handicapper again and is a course and distance winner. Magic Glade was not disgraced on his Epsom seasonal return - the race in which Bluebok was fifth - and might yet defy a career-high mark, although Classic Encounter was ahead of him there and, if putting it all together, will land a race like this one day. Milton Bradley will have to have worked the oracle with Puskas if he is to feature, although you can never rule that out, while Pic Up Sticks, who was in the ruck at Epsom, has dropped to a good mark now if fully on song. Fromsong returned this season with a very good second at Windsor and can go well from just a pound higher mark, but Holbeck Ghyll and Matsunosuke need to improve a little if they are to win. Once again, the selection is Bluebok.
Mornin Reserves 25-1 (8-10) Led to halfway, weakened quickly 2f out, 8th of 9, 14l behind If Paradise (8-7) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr '05.
Golden Dixie (USA) 20-1 (8-13) Behind, never on terms, 9th of 15, 4l behind Intrepid Jack (9-4) at Bath 5f hcap (3) gd in Oct.
Classic Encounter (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Taken to post early, led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Cape Royal (8-11) at Epsom 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Puskas (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on outer, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 29l behind Trafalgar Bay (9-2) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd.
Pic Up Sticks 20-1 (8-10) Dwelt, short lived effort towards centre 2f out, 11th of 13, 6l behind Cape Royal (8-11) at Epsom 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Bluebok 9-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 1l behind Cape Royal (8-11) at Epsom 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Fromsong (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led approaching final furlong, headed and unable to quicken final 75 yards, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Efistorm (9-0) at Windsor 5f hcap (4) gf in Apr.
Peopleton Brook 10-1 (8-13) Soon pushed along towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3l behind Little Edward (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Holbeck Ghyll (IRE) 10-3fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 2l behind Bluebok (9-2) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept.
Matsunosuke 5-1fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside 2f out, ran on to take 2nd final 50 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Forest Dane (8-5) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Magic Glade 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 3l behind Cape Royal (8-11) at Epsom 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
