in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 5f out, never dangerous
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden over 3f out no impression
led early, remained close up ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out
behind, ridden and headway well over 2f out kept on final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened
El Coto appeals at this level and is selected in preference to Soldiers Quest and Prince Samos, while Ming Vase is not without a chance on the pick of his form and is worth monitoring for signs of each-way support. The last named does not find winning comes as a natural process though and needs plenty of luck on his side. Prince Samos has also struggled to get his head in front of late and would not be one in whom to be placing maximum faith. However, he has the ability to be a threat in this company and would be dangerous to rule out. Soldiers Quest is an unexposed type that shapes as if at least a race of this nature is within his capabilities. He is related to some classy performers (useful over a variety of trips) and it is interesting that he is tried in a claimer for only his fourth career start. However, El Coto makes a touch more appeal at the likely odds, as he looks set to encounter his ideal conditions. The Kevin Ryan-trained gelding has taken on much stiffer opposition in the past and it may simply be a case of him being found an ideal opening to shine.
El Coto 10-1 (9-12) Prominent far side, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 17, 6l behind Middlemarch (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Prince Samos (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 6th of 10, 1l behind Primo Way (8-13) at Hamilton 1m clm (6) gs.
Soldiers Quest 6-4fav (8-13) Dwelt, keen, held up in rear, headway on outer 7f out, join leader over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 8l behind Man of Vision (8-8) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Defi (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 21l behind Red Chairman (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (5) gs in Jul.
Drury Lane (IRE) 66-1 (8-4) Always behind, tailed off, last of 12, 50l behind Rowan River (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Simba's Pride 100-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 24l behind Honest Prospector (9-3) at Thirsk 1m mdn stk (4) gf.
Ming Vase 12-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Dudley Docker (9-5) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, never a factor, 9th of 14, 11l behind Border Edge (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Stravonian 66-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 32l behind Queen's Dancer (8-2) at Hamilton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) gs in May '05.
Fiddlers Creek (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind Ruby Legend (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f sll (6) gd.
Sierras Future 50-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression until some late headway final furlong, 7th of 10, 3l behind Primo Way (8-13) at Hamilton 1m clm (6) gs.
Papa's Princess 22-1 (8-5) Missed break, towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 16l behind Blackat Blackitten (9-0) at Carlisle 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul.
Showtime Annie 8-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, badly hampered on rail inside final 2f, weakened after, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-10) at Windsor 1m 4f sll (5).
Harts In Mo Shun (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 14l behind Top Jaro (9-8) at Redcar 7f clm (6) gd.
