mid-division, headway and not clear run over 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, clear over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon faded
took keen hold, tracking leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure
held up in touch, under pressure over 2f out, kept on well
mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure
behind, some late headway, never nearer
mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, held on gamely
always mid-division
slowly away, soon held up, hit rail after 2f, headway 2f out, kept on, never able to challenge
always behind
held up, never dangerous
always behind
RUWAIN's penalty probably makes him high enough in the weights but we will stick with him from a good draw; Desert Hawk, Poppy Red and Ben Bacchus join Sir Liam on the lengthy list of dangers. Charlie McBride has his horses in good form and his Lujain gelding was a good winner at Great Leighs last week. That win was comfortable and whilst he has struggled off this sort of mark in the past, he may be able to sneak in another win. Sir Liam is a course winner and Tom Dascombe's charge has ability; unfortunately he also has a very modest strike-rate and he was very disappointing last time at Wolverhampton. Ben Bacchus is a course and distance winner and Peter Hiatt's gelding ran well in defeat last time at Great Leighs. The slight drop in trip and a return to this track could suit and he looks fairly treated on a mark of 49. Bernabau is one to watch in the betting along with the returning Lady Llanover, whilst Desert Hawk is consistent enough but has had a long season and hasn't won for a while. Poppy Red has run some fair races in defeat but has a tough task at the weights today and so it is Ruwain who can land the finale.
Touch of Style (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders on inner, effort and driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 10, 3l behind Mix N Match (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Ruwain 12-1 (8-3) Made all, quickened over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Joe Jo Star (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bernabeu (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leader, led over 3f out, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 11, 4l behind Blockley (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Sir Liam (USA) 3-1fav (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 27l behind Blockley (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
King Gabriel (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Soon tracking leaders, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 17, 11l behind Apex (8-4) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr '07.
Blushing Hilary (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led briefly 7f out, stayed in touch until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 18l behind Wyeth (11-2) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ben Bacchus (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Spume (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Sue Princesse (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Led until over 7f out, led again over 2f out, soon hard ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Corlough Mountain (10-5) at Kempton 1m 4f amt hcp (6) pol.
Desert Hawk 13-2 (8-11) In touch, kept on from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 2l behind Safin (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Lady Llanover 80-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 14, 6l behind Nawamees (9-7) at Leicester 1m 4f clm (5) gd in Jul.
Backlash 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Carlton Scroop (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Malt Empress (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly away, never travelling, always in rear, last of 14, 41l behind Love And Glory (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Poppy Red 16-1 (8-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on, always just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Rapid City (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol.
