held up behind, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong
held up, headway 4th out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, headed left under pressure over 1f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, kept on until headed no extra well inside final furlong
led, held over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
with leader, lost pace over 3f out, weakened 2f out
This is a tricky handicap with some reasonable form to work on, with The Pen the suggestion to take it. Grand Roche has finished second on five occasions and has a form chance on the basis of his recent run over the course and distance when finishing second to Unique Moment. The winner has gone in since, but Grand Roche reverts to handicap company from claiming class here and faces tougher rivals. The Pen scored over hurdles this winter and has been in winning form on the level, scoring at Beverley before finding the opposition too hot in the competitive Ladies Derby at Ripon. Well handicapped despite top weight, The Pen can go well here. Kyle of Lochalsh won well at Musselburgh three outings ago and although running well next time, he was well beaten on his latest start and probably needs to drop back down the ratings. The Pen is racing off the same mark as when last successful and has a winning opportunity here.
The Pen 9-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 6th of 13, 7l behind Silverhay (10-9) at Pontefract 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gf.
Grande Roche (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Unique Moment (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 3f clm (5) gf in Jun.
Kyle of Lochalsh 9-2 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 11, 15l behind Alambic (8-6) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcap (6) gd.
Phoenix Nights (IRE) 150-1 (8-9) In touch, not much room and lost place after a furlong, ridden and chased leaders over 2f out and weakened final 2f, last of 6, 27l behind Pedrillo (8-12) at Hamilton 1m stk (C2) sft in Sept '04.
Nakwa (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up, towards rear, headway over 1f out one pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Sudden Impulse (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcap (6) gd.
Acca Larentia (IRE) 100-1 (7-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 29l behind Ostfanni (9-11) at Musselburgh 2m hcap (6) gd.
Taili 200-1 (8-2) Held up, ridden and outpaced halfway, lost touch over 5f out, 10th of 11, well behind Ostfanni (9-11) at Musselburgh 2m hcap (6) gd.
