in touch for 5f, soon behind
in touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, went 3rd entering final furlong, stayed on
held up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
led, headed well over 2f out, kept on gamely, every chance entering final furlong, no extra near finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led well over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon hard ridden, kept on inside final furlong
held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
mainly towards rear
mid-division, headway and hung right over 1f out, stayed on
slowly into stride, always towards rear
Shortlisted for the Amateurs' race are Optimus, Snark and The Gaikwar with the selection being Optimus. Optimus has proven that he can be competitive from today's mark, as he showed at Chepstow last time, and his chance is respected. Jackie Kiely has won from today's mark on the all-weather and the handicapper has at least given him a chance on Turf now. Surwaki has also dropped to what should be a competitive mark, as has Paraguay, although the latter needs to put some modest efforts behind him if he is to score today. Snark came back to form with a Pontefract win last time and can still go well from a four-pounds higher mark. Course and distance winner The Gaikwar is racing from a winning mark, while Murrumbidgee is weighted to win based on last June's form, Mythical Charm has won here and is not too far above a winning mark, and course and distance winner Fantasy Crusader is back to a competitive mark and is closely weighted with Height Of Spirits based on a run in a similar event. Once again, though, the selection is Optimus.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Held up in touch, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Great As Gold (9-2) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Apr '06.
Optimus (USA) 5-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Motafarred (9-5) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) frm.
Jackie Kiely 14-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 12, 8l behind Rowan River (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Surwaki (USA) 3-1jt-fav (9-13) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 1l behind Primo Way (8-13) at Hamilton 1m clm (6) gs.
Paraguay (USA) 20-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden 3f out, plugged on, 9th of 14, 7l behind Corrib (8-9) at Newbury 1m 1f app hcp (5) gd.
Snark (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Pontefract 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf beating Bavarica (11-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
The Gaikwar (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, 18l behind Motafarred (9-5) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) frm.
Mythical Charm 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Corrib (8-9) at Newbury 1m 1f app hcp (5) gd.
Blu Manruna 20-1 (8-5) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to challenge winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Siena Star (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Murrumbidgee (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Slowly away, behind, headway 3f out, soon driven and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 12l behind Wrighty Almighty (9-4) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) frm.
Fantasy Crusader 4-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway under pressure 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 14, 6l behind Border Edge (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Height of Spirits 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Mythical Charm (10-4) at Goodwood 1m amt hcp 0-80 (6) sft in Jul.
