in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
mid-division, lost place and reminders halfway, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, chased winner 2f out, ridden and no impression
tracked leader after 2f, led 2f out, ridden out
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in rear, never a factor
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
raced wide, in touch, ridden 2f out, kept one one pace
raced wide, always towards rear
in touch, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 3f out
dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
keen, held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
LADIES DANCING gets our vote in a tight opening contest, with Musashi, Ermine Grey and Freedom Fire others to consider. It's interesting that Frankie Dettori is booked to ride our selection, a horse who disappointed when sent off favourite last time. He's better judged on his last course and distance run in our opinion, a close third off this mark, and from a good draw this four-year-old gets our vote. Musashi is another who appears to enjoy Kempton having won and taken third in two of his three starts here. Laura Mongan's gelding has to prove he can win over a trip this far but is bred to stay and off what looks a competitive rating he's rated a danger along with Ermine Grey. The last named represents a trainer who's had a year to remember and deserves to get his head in front. It's a concern though that all of his wins have come on left-handed tracks and that is enough for us to leave him out along with Freedom Fire, a horse who is less exposed than many on display and has placed form here, although it has to be said there appeared to be little excuse for his below-par run last time. Inch Lodge was running on at the death over shorter last time and is another with claims but he's returning from a break and we're happy enough to side with the match-fit Ladies Dancing.
Lunar River (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, kept on entering final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 8l behind Danderek (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Wrighty Almighty (IRE) 18-1 (8-10) Keen, always in rear, 8th of 9, 10l behind Charlie Smirke (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Altimatum (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Always in rear, behind final 3f, last of 10, 30l behind Granny Mcphee (9-4) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Ladies Dancing 3-1fav (9-3) Led, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 28l behind Ghufa (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Freedom Fire (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Chased leaders, edged right over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 5l behind Turjuman (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Inch Lodge 4-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on under pressure towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Musashi (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) In rear, ridden 3f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 8l behind The Hague (8-9) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Silken Promise (USA) 3-1fav (8-13) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden on outside over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Quiet Mountain (8-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Cool The Heels (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Led 1f, tracked leader to 6f out, ridden along 4f out, no impession and weakened from 2f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Animator (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (5) gs in Aug '08.
Ermine Grey 6-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders and edged left over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd near finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Quiet Mountain (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Starlight Gazer 20-1 (9-2) Last to break, held up, ridden over 4f out, always in rear, 10th of 14, 26l behind Very Well Red (9-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Apr.
Efficiency 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, well behind Beaubrav (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
See Elsie Play 25-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Alqaahir (8-9) at Kempton 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Magic Warrior 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt, always behind, 8th of 10, 27l behind Rock Anthem (10-1) at Salisbury 1m ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
