tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace
close up, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
in rear, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out
raced wide, in touch, ridden 3f out, chased winner briefly over 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor
keen tracked leaders, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader until 4f out, soon weakened
The market can guide to the pair that have been off the track for a long time but, as Declan Carroll had saddled five winners from his last nineteen runners up to the end of Saturday, it may not pay to look beyond Cherri Fosfate who was successful just three days ago. However, his record on soft ground is less compelling and of more appeal is OPERA PRINCE who is dangerously well handicapped, should handle the ground and is partnered by a young apprentice who is riding terribly well at present. High Five Society may not be able to cope with the contrasting conditions but Strategic Mission may well do so and the handicapper has given him every chance if the ability remains intact.
Strategic Mission (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Super Duplex (7-12) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Opera Prince 5-2 (9-9) Slowly into stride, mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 11l behind Bidable (8-13) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
High Five Society 7-1 (9-6) In rear, ran wide bend into straight over 4f out, good headway on outer over 2f out, led and hung left entering final 2f, ran on, won at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf beating Join Up (8-10) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Cherri Fosfate 5-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden 2f out, led well over 1f out, driven and stayed on final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f app hcp (6) gd beating Avitus (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Given A Choice (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Dwelt, soon pushed along, behind, 7th of 11, 9l behind Classically (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Peaceful Means (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Dwelt, held up in rear, never on terms, 8th of 11, 12l behind One Scoop Or Two (9-0) at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Bogside Dancer 100-1 (8-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 13th of 15, 15l behind Street Life (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Apr '08.
Always Baileys (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always rear division, 10th of 11, 27l behind Snowberry Hill (10-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f am hcp (6) pol in Nov '07.