towards rear stands side, weakened over 1f out
chased leader far side, ridden over 1f out, led towards finish, headed post
in touch stands side, edged right and ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, weakened over 1f out
led stands side group, ridden and edged right over 1f out, stayed on to lead post
behind stands side group, never dangerous
chased leaders stands side group, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on no extra towards finish
led far side group and overall leader, headed towards finish, no extra
chased leader stands side group, weakened over 1f out
ORLANDO'S TALE is of obvious interest given that most of his rivals are thoroughly exposed. Sweet Gale and Balata are two of the more interesting runners. A tortuous race to work out with not even Torquemada dismissed from 8lbs out of the weights given that that still leaves him well handicapped on his old form and that his last two victories came over course and distance. The form of the selection is only modest and the Warwick maiden wasn't enhanced by the subsequent effort of the winner, albeit that it came in a race incomparable to this. However, it was a step in the right direction and offers hope that there may be a happier chapter in Orlando's Tale's career. Lodi has a couple of pieces of form that read very well, the handicapper has cut poor old Fiefdom very little slack, the decision to switch blinkers for a visor with My Gacho hints at straw clutching, there's little evidence that Cook's Endeavour has trained on although he's one to be interested in if the vibes are positive. Champain Sands is not without hope unlike Bahamian Kid at Chester when drawn 12 of 15 and he had run one of his better races on his penultimate start. That is also true of Balata who came fairly close to a maiden success on turf which brings him into the equation along with Sweet Gale who should be more effective here than at Pontefract but she has taken a fair hit from the handicapper. Plenty with chances of a sort so it's as you like it really but Orlando's Tale is the one for us.
Lodi (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 11l behind Victoria Sponge (9-3) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Orlando's Tale (USA) 9-1 (9-12) Soon led, hung right on bend 3f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Turning Top (8-12) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Sweet Gale (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, headway under pressure when hampered and switched left over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Sioux Rising (9-4) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Fiefdom (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Desert Dreamer (8-8) at Chester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
My Gacho (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 12l behind Red Cape (9-7) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Bahamian Kid 7-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until ridden over 2f out, 13th of 15, 20l behind Glenridding (9-4) at Chester 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Balata 7-1 (8-13) Behind, driven and headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind I Confess (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Cook's Endeavour (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Dwelt and soon chasing leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 7l behind Magaling (9-4) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
Champain Sands (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) Mid-division, driven 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 16, 6l behind Sunnyside Tom (9-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Torquemada (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Dwelt, keen, held up, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 12, 4l behind Hollow Jo (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
