tracked winner, challenged 4 out, every chance next, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, no impression flat
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on and chance next, disputing 3rd and one pace when hampered 2 out, no impression last
held up in touch, driven 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, ridden and effort 3 out, disputed 3rd when jumped left next, one pace approaching last
made all, pressed 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well to go clear flat
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
pecked 1st, held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon lost place, weakened from next, tailed off
bolted for almost a circuit before start, behind, lost touch 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
keen early, held up behind, headway on outside 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, 5th and outpaced when carried left 2 out, no impression
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
John Mackie must be cursing his luck given that Ready To Crown was disqualified and placed second at Doncaster, but has still gone up 10lbs for that run, and he might just be found wanting here, where SON OF FLICKA gets the vote. The Donald McCain-trained selection has been in the first three in 10 of his 14 career starts, and he put in a good effort when third at Ayr last time. He acts on the ground and over this trip, and while he is exposed, he can be relied upon to produce his best more often than not. King's Revenge handles a sound surface and this trip, and is another exposed runner who can get heavily involved. Soft Spoken Guy has gone up 12lbs for being runner-up at Kelso last time, which is offputting, especially given his penchant for soft ground, but conditions suit Robo, who may be capable of going much better after a break given the form of the Hobbs stable. Benny Be Good is open to a bit of improvement on this better ground and a market check is advised, though Son of Flicka is just the one for us.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 28l behind Calgary Bay (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec.
Soft Spoken Guy (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, 5th and no impression 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Bygones Of Brid (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft.
Premier Dane (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 12th of 18, 13l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Son Of Flicka 9-1 (11-7) Keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led approaching 3 out soon headed, kept one pace, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Ramsden Boy (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Benny Be Good 9-4 (11-9) Raced wide, led, clear approaching 4th, reduced lead before 3 out, soon joined, ridden and headed well before 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Double Expresso (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
King's Revenge 14-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 4 out, soon chasing winner until approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Share Option (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Ready To Crown (USA) 10-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, led narrowly approaching last, ridden and under pressure flat, edged left and just held on near finish (placed 2nd), in a race won by Je Ne Sais Plus (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mares hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 15 ran.
Nevertika (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Hit 1st, chased winner to before 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
Simple Jim (FR) 7-2fav (10-11) Held up on inner, headway after 4 out, no impression, 6th of 17, 19l behind Share Option (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Robo (FR) 8-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden and weakend before 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Gee Dee (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th when pulled up before 2 out, lame, in a race won by The Sliotar (11-8) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr '08, 11 ran.
