held up in rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge last, led flat, all out
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, lost place after 3rd, tailed off from 4 out
led, ridden approaching last, headed flat, rallied towards finish
in touch, headway in close up 3rd, outpaced 3 out, not pace of leading pair
prominient, outpaced 3 out, soon no extra
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, some late headway
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, effort approaching 3 out, weakened after next
Whilst is would not do to get too carried away with the success of Kalmo Bay at Auteuil last November, likely improvement now makes him the selection in this opener ahead of Special Order, Khachturian and Stainley in what could prove an informative event. The selection handled the French mud pretty well and has been brought along patiently in his native land but in form Ferdy Murphy now handles the gelding and it is likely that he can elicit sufficient improvement to ensure that he keeps his nose in front once again. Special Order handled cut well at Wetherby a couple of months back but did not seem to enjoy the undulations of Sedgefield last time. That run is best forgotten and we anticipate the Wylie colours being carried with more distinction this time. Khachturian is an interesting debutante from the McCain yard and he would certainly appear suited by this trip. He has handled cut well enough once on the level in Ireland though his only win came on fast ground but he is best watched this time, while Stainley is a good ground Musselburgh scorer who was found out by a penalty last time and, although he handled cut on the flat, might just find this one beyond him again. The selection here then is Kalmo Bay
Kalmo Bay (FR) (10-10) In rear, headway 2 out, ran on to lead near finish, won at Auteuil 2m 2f NH flat in Nov beating Saga Style (10-1) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Stainley (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, ridden 3 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 15, 14l behind Ahmedy (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
English City (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Always behind, 7th of 10, well behind Bright Sparky (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Floodlight Fantasy 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, reminders and weakened from 5th, 7th of 11, well behind Impeccable Guest (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Khachaturian (IRE) 9-4 (8-12) Chased leader, weakened well over 2f out, last of 4, 16l behind Zanderi (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f stk gd in Sept (Flat).
Patavium (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In touch, headway 7th, weakened after next, 6th of 15, 37l behind Poker De Sivola (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
Pay On (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, 13th of 15, well behind Ahmedy (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Seeking Straight (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced halfway, not a danger after, 7th of 12, 9l behind Markovitch (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr (Flat).
Special Order (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, ridden next, soon outpaced, 5th of 15, 19l behind Polinamix (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Vertigo Blue 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, 12th of 15, well behind Ahmedy (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
White Lightening (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 9, 7l behind Stainley (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (5) gd in Nov.
