reluctant and soon well detached in rear, no progress until ran on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no impression
chased leading pair, pushed along 4f out, weakened quickly, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off
tracked leader, closed from 3f out, led briefly 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced in 4th, went 3rd over 3f out, soon driven, one pace and no impression when hampered over 1f out
always behind, virtually pulled up final 2f out, tailed off
held up in 5th, headway over 2f out, soon went 3rd, led inside final 2f, headed and outpaced by winner entering final furlong
held up towards rear, closed on leaders over 2f out, headway just inside final 2f, led entering final furlong, soon ridden clear
held up in mid-division, effort on outside over 2f out, soon unable to quicken and no impression
led, pushed along 3f out, narrowly headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, never in contention
Dove Cottage may be able to record back to back course successes but this does have a competitive look to it. Stuart Kittow's gelding has won two of his three starts here and a 7lb rise for the latest of them may not be enough to prevent him from following up. The race panned out well for him last time but he has enough in his favour to earn the vote. South O' The Border is sure to be popular and is only 1lb higher than when last successful in 2006 whilst Royal Jasra is entitled to improve on his reappearance run. Wait For The Will is a reliable sort whilst Alonso De Guzman, Apache Fort and Hatton Flight are all of interest on their all-weather form if acting on this unique circuit. We also like Potentiale who ran a pleasing race on his return over ten furlongs and will relish the extra quarter of a mile on offer today. He looks poised for a big run but Dove Cottage is taken to be the first home.
Optimus (USA) 17-2 (9-4) Soon tailed off, last of 10, 31l behind The Snatcher (8-9) at Bath 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Zaif (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 10l behind Birkside (9-1) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
South O'The Border 11-2 (8-11) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression, 7th of 12, 7l behind Stretton (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May '07.
Dove Cottage (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Led for 1f, tracked leader and clear of rest, regained lead 3f out, came readily clear final 2f, won at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Kokkokila (8-5) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Venir Rouge 6-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Generous Lad (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Royal Jasra 3-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 9l behind Art Man (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Potentiale (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway from 4f out, not clear run inside final 2f, switched right and stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Aypeeyes (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Hatton Flight 11-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr beating Terminate (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Apache Fort 3-1 (9-4) Settled in rear, headway to chase leaders 4f out, joined leaders on outer 3f out, led narrowly 2f out, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Alonso de Guzman (9-0) by a ns, 5 ran.
Alonso de Guzman (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Led at good pace, joined 3f out, headed narrowly 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, just held by winner, 2nd of 5, shd behind Apache Fort (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Wait For The Will (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, headway, ridden and stayed on to take modest 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Dove Cottage (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
