prominent, pushed along and went 3rd over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear
held up, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous
pulled hard, held up, ridden and lost place over 4f out
tracked leader, ridden and outpaced 3f out, keeping on when switched right over 1f out
soon let, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
A competitive enough event given the lowly prize monies and Champagne Shadow is given the nod ahead of Wait For The Will and Montosari. The selection was a bitter disappointment behind Smokey The Bear last time out but he has ran well previously in the grade and with handicap opportunities thin on the ground, this looks a sensible assignment. Wait For The Will will be making his trademark late gains. He did little wrong against War Of The Roses last month and the form looks relatively solid on balance. Montosari doesn't stay two miles so his last run is best forgotten. He could be the one to prosper in the event of any weakness in the market leaders. Rosies Glory is ordinary whilst Victory Mile has done nothing since leaving Brian Meehan and first time blinkers are reached for in desperation. The Luke Dace pair of Barnbrook Empire and Amnesty are hard to enthuse over. A fair race in prospect and Champagne Shadow is the pick.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) Evensfav (9-6) Held up, hard ridden 5f out, no impression 2f out, kept on and went 3rd from over 1f out, never dangerous, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Smokey The Bear (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Montosari 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, pressed leader over 4f out, weakened from 2f out, last of 8, 13l behind Jack Rolfe (10-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Barnbrook Empire (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led, headed after 1f, ridden to lead again over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Arch Folly (9-11) at Chepstow 2m clm (6) gf in Jul '06.
Amnesty 7-1 (9-5) In touch, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 13l behind Orphina (8-6) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Pink Salmon 50-1 (8-9) Soon led, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 27l behind Dushstorm (8-9) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Jan.
Victory Mile (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, reminders 9f out, stayed in touch until weakened quickly 4f out, soon tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Alnwick (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Rosie's Glory (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Opera Writer (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Wait For The Will (USA) 14-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 10, 2l behind War of The Roses (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.