raced wide, close up, chased leader over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
dwelt, tracked leaders over 3f out, effort when not much room from over 1f out, hit over head by rivals whip inside final furlong, burst through to lead towards finish
close up, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden approaching 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leader until over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
This competitive race may go the way of Arabian Spirit but none are dismissed out of hand. The selection had a choice of engagements that he could have taken up and it's hopefully significant that connections have opted to come here. This speedily bred son of Oasis Dream starts his handicapping career on a workable mark and appears to hold live claims judged on the form of his final start of 2007. What Katie Did clearly relishes an all-weather surface but will do well to get the better of this competitive field whilst this drop in trip isn't certain to bring the best out of Sparton Duke. Loose Caboose keeps pulling out a little more and Baunagain may yet have his best days ahead of him and both have to be given serious consideration. Market support would be encouraging but we'll take a chance with Arabian Spirit on his return.
Sparton Duke (IRE) 2-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly hampered well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Cross Fell (9-4) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Baunagain (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, hung right from over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind We Have A Dream (8-13) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
What Katie Did (IRE) 10-3fav (9-3) Always prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Hobson (9-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Arabian Spirit 10-1 (9-3) Hampered leaving stalls, behind, headway 2f out, took 3rd well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Adversity (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Loose Caboose (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on well under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Pha Mai Blue (8-13) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (3) pol.
Valhillen 9-1 (8-8) Always prominent, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1l behind Loose Caboose (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
