held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway and wide 2f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead post
held up mid-division, good headway to lead well over 1f out, soon ridden, caught post
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, effort to go in lead 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, behind over 4f out, ridden and kept on from over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
in touch, ridden over 4f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
Garnett is a speculative choice in a wide open handicap, Rule For Ever and Mind How You Go are just two of many dangers. The selection returned from a long lay off to finish an excellent third behind Newnham in a similar race to this over course and distance. lack of fitness told in the last furlong and with that run behind him he should prove hard to beat this afternoon. Rule For Ever was most impressive when successful at Wolverhampton last time out and should go well despite a six pound penalty. Mind How You Go is the dark horse in the race as we don't know how fit he will be following a 21 month absence. However he is from a shrewd yard and does look on a decent enough mark on past performences. The pick of the others could be the consistent Girardii, but on this occasion we will side with Garnett.
Sir Monty (USA) 8-1 (8-10) Close up, chased leader 5f out, weakening when short of room approaching 2f out, 7th of 8, 9l behind Sgt Schultz (8-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Mind How You Go (FR) 10-3 (9-10) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Awash (8-7) at Warwick 1m 5f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun '05.
Garnett (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Newnham (9-7) at Lingfield 2m app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Flying Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway when not much room approaching 2f out, lost place, not a danger after, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Nawow (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Critical Stage (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, one pace final 3f, 7th of 14, 5l behind Newnham (9-7) at Lingfield 2m app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Salut Saint Cloud 16-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders 7f, lost place and behind 4f out, plenty to do, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 3l behind Noble Minstrel (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Rule For Ever 14-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led 2f out, kept on well, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Teorban (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Girardii 6-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, kept on to chase winner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Lucky Lark (9-7) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Jul.
Noddies Way 7-1 (8-9) Started slowly, always rear, lost touch from 6f out, soon tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Grasp (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Newnham (IRE) 13-8fav (11-1) Never near leaders, 7th of 13, 9l behind Blue Hills (10-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) std.
Galantos (GER) 4-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, ridden along 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 27l behind Victory Quest (9-10) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
