held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, never nearer
held up, effort over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
took keen hold behind, hung right over 2f out, switched left, headway on outer over 1f out, driven to lead close home
pulled hard in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders and weakened over 1f out
steadied start, pulled very hard in rear, struggling from over 3f out, tailed off
tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
started slowly, towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong to take 2nd post, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, headed close home, lost 2nd final stride
held up, headway and effort over 1f out, not quicken and weakened final furlong
started slowly, led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up behind, effort 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, towards rear, headway 4f out and in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
took keen hold in touch, effort under pressure over 1f out, no impression entering final furlong, ran on well towards finish
Opera Knight is in good heart and is selected in preference to Monte Major and Guadiana, who also arrive here in fair fettle and have to be considered as live dangers. Guadiana has found her form lately and has made modest strides during the last few months. She does need to continue improving but has to considered as a threat in a weak contest like this. Monte Major is lightly raced has scope for improvement. He showed considerable promise for a race of this nature when he finished second here in April and, although he has a long absence to overcome, he is worth monitoring in the betting. However, preference goes to Opera Knight, who is a tough and reliable character and bring the most solid attributes to the table for a nightmare of a race (at least from punting perspective that is).
Big Smoke (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Always behind, 9th of 11, 27l behind Saameq (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (F) pol in Jan '05.
Guadiana (GER) 12-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, mid-division, came wide entering straight, soon behind, 10th of 13, 11l behind General Flumpa (9-1) at Warwick 1m 3f app hcp (6) gd in Sept.
Larad (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division to rear, headway to chase leaders 6f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 15, 13l behind Another Con (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Muqtadi (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Steadied start, held up last, headway on outer 2f out, staying on same pace when edged left inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Meelup (9-3) at Lingfield 1m banded stk (H5) pol in Mar '05.
Opera Knight 12-1 (8-7) Pulled hard, in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind General Flumpa (9-1) at Warwick 1m 3f app hcp (6) gd in Sept.
Monte Major (GER) 9-2fav (9-0) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Carlton Scroop (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Queen of Diamonds (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Keen, mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Maria Antonia (8-6) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) sft.
Sahara Sun (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Steadied start, keen in mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 10th of 12, 26l behind Pentatonic (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gf in Sept.
