held up, steady headway halfway, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong
led and soon clear, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out and weakened
steadied start, steady headway from 3f out, closing when not clear run over 1f out, switched left and vigorously ridden to chase winner well inside final furlong, no chance
tracked leader throughout, effort to lead 1f out, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden and switched right over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
Lucayan Dancer won well last time out and he gets the narrow vote ahead of Bull Market, Steely Dan and Turner's Touch. Although not the best treated at the weights, the selection is taken to win again because he comes here in top form. His win last time out at Wolverhampton was comprehensive and whilst he is obviously not as good as he used to be, with that win under his belt he can score again. Turner's Touch is a course and distance winner and with a decent strike-rate, he should apreciate this return to claiming company. Steely Dan has also won at the track and has claims, although his profile doesn't scream 'consistency', so of more interest may be Bull Market. Jamie Osbourne's gelding has been disappointing over the winter when trying hurdling but his previous flat form looks solid enough and he is favoured by today's weights. Brigadore should not be overlooked completely as he drops in grade but his strike-rate is woeful and so we will happily return to Lucayan Dancer to win again.
Lucayan Dancer 10-1 (9-10) Held up, headway on inside 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol in Mar beating Princess Cocoa (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Brigadore (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no headway, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 14l behind Coda Agency (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Turner's Touch 15-8 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear until went 3rd 3f out, never dangerous from over 2f out, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Sol Rojo (8-6) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Bull Market (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up and raced keenly, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 8, 6l behind Chord (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Steely Dan 11-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, took keen hold towards rear, behind and struggling 3f out, never dangerous, last of 10, 20l behind Haarth Sovereign (9-1) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Zuleta 50-1 (9-1) Took keen hold behind leaders, pushed along over 5f out, soon beaten, 15th of 16, 29l behind Hilltime (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (6) frm in Jun '05.
