slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left and driven to challenge, kept on same pace
pulled hard tracking leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out
in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, gradually weakened
held up towards rear, some late headway, never on terms
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
This looks less competitive than some of the races that Lindy Hop has contested but SPIRITOFTHEWEST may be worth chancing in a race where Lord Of The Dance and Having A Ball also have claims. The selection disappointed at Nottingham on his latest start when tried in headgear and connections have decided to dispense with that experiment for the time being. He clearly comes with risks attached having won just once in his career but he showed enough on his all-weather debut at Wolverhampton in a race that has worked out particularly well to be risked. Having A Ball runs this track well but isn't particularly well treated and may have to settle for a minor role at best and the maiden, Lindy Hop, appeals as a better option. She has contested fairly competitive races the last twice and emerged with credit from both runs whilst she looks sure to benefit from this stiffer test. Lord Of The Dance has made the frame on three of his five starts and is now tried in blinkers; he could well go close if they bring about some improvement but we'll chance our arm with Spiritofthewest.
Daniel Thomas (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 1f out, driven and stayed on towards finish, 4th of 7, 2l behind Hurakan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Spiritofthewest (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 16, 5l behind Cawdor (9-1) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Le Chiffre (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden 2f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Multakka (9-6) at Great Leighs 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct '08.
Mr Hichens 8-1 (9-6) Towards rear, good headway on inner over 1f out, soon not clear run, not recover, 12th of 14, 14l behind Ensnare (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Having A Ball 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Ensnare (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Fiefdom (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 4l behind Black Dahlia (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Lindy Hop (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 6l behind King Of Defence (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Divinatore 14-1 (8-3) Chased winner to 8f out, 3rd until 4f out, soon left behind, tailed off, last of 4, 28l behind History Lesson (9-7) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Dark Camellia 7-1 (9-0) Held up, smooth headway to track leader over 1f out, soon switched right, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (6) pol beating Lucky Score (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lord of The Dance (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Thunderstruck (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Starlight Gazer 25-1 (9-0) Close up, led over 4f out, ridden, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 9l behind Black Dahlia (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
