made all, set steady pace, quickened 3f out, soon ridden, edged left final furlong, stayed on well
chased winner for 7f out, ridden to chase winner approaching 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no exit inside final furlong
held up in touch, improved 3f out, soon ridden, chased winner inside final furlong, soon no impression
keen in touch, chased winner 7f out, approaching 2f out soon weakened
Speedy Sam has been given a real chance to score for the first time since late '06 having been dropped 4lb by the assessor from his last outing at Windsor. He is a tentative selection to get back on the winning trail with Snowed Under and Candy Mountain looking the obvious dangers. Rated in the mid 90s at one point following his last success he appeared out of his depth when connections had no option but to contest high grade handicaps with him. Although finishing towards the rear on each of his last two starts, he has not been disgraced and the signs are that a return to the winners¿ enclosure might not be too far away. Tackling lower grade opponents might just be what is required to get his head back in front. Snowed Under showed the benefit of a seasonal debut to put up a game performance at Beverley last time under a superb front running ride from Darryll Holland. Today's riders are likely to be aware of those winning tactics although he is the only confirmed front runner in the contest. Support for Candy Mountain would be of real interest hailing from the Luca Cumani yard although his older charges do tend to come on for their first outing of the season. Speedy Sam gets the nod to land this.
Speedy Sam 12-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, driven over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 7l behind Trans Siberian (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcap (4) gs.
Snowed Under 4-1 (8-10) In touch, led after 3f, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 1f hcap (4) gd beating Rosbay (9-1) by a hd, 8 ran.
Candy Mountain 11-4fav (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on well, never nearer, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Baylini (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (3) pol in Nov.
Contra Mundum (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leader on outer over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 12, 13l behind Smokey The Bear (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
Ross Moor 8-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden and stayed on approaching final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Folio (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Our Teddy (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, driven, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Doctor Scott (9-6) at Catterick 1m 6f hcap (4) gf.
