led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
raced in last trio, switched right over 1f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on strongly to lead final strides, won going away
held up in touch, on inside, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, headed final strides
held up in touch, effort on outside 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, heavily eased final furlong, dismounted after race
in touch, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, soon not clear run and not much room, never able to challenge
held up, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
held up in rear, never troubled leaders
close up, chased leader 10f out, soon raced wide, reminders 5f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, kept on same pace inside final furlong
dwelt, pushed up to track leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, wide, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
As a previous course and distance winner there is every reason to expect IRISH BALLAD will cope with today's test. Prince Charlemagne and Zalkani are others worth bearing in mind, while support for Home would also be noteworthy. The last named has some good form to his name (on the artificial surfaces) and has gone well here in the past. However, he needs to prove he gets the trip, so it may be a good policy to monitor his standing in the market beforehand. Zalkani is an old stager at this level and can usually be relied upon to run his race. A record of 20 placed efforts (from his career starts) tells its own story and he heads the list of each-way alternatives. Prince Charlemagne has held his form well since the turn of the year - recording a hat-trick of successes in handicaps. Even with a 12lb rise up the weights, it can be argued he is still well treated on his old form; so a big run can be expected from the Gary Moore-trained gelding. Moore also sends out Salut Saint Cloud and Jafaru, but the last few starts from the latter have hardly suggested he is ready to lug top weight to victory, while the former has a long absence to overcome and may need the outing. Nevertheless, Irish Ballad makes more appeal when his overall record is assessed. The Simon Dow-trained gelding has been in cracking form lately and is suggested as the most reliable option here.
Jafaru 7-2fav (9-5) Raced keenly, close up, tracked winner 5f out to 1f out, one pace and lost 3rd final furlong, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind A One (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f sell stks (6) gs in Aug.
Calzaghe (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, raced wide from 3f out, still only 9th 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Barbirolli (8-8) at Folkestone 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Held up, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, took 3rd close home, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Shanafarahan (8-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Zalkani (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outer from over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Carlton Scroop (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Irish Ballad 3-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Kavaloti (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Home 20-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, good headway on outside over 3f out, led well over 1f out, hung left and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Augustus John (11-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol in Mar.
Platoche (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Lazy Days (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stks (5) gf in May.
Salut Saint Cloud 5-2fav (8-9) Keen, in touch, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, outpaced final furlong, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Cavendish (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in Apr '08.
Good Effect (USA) 6-1 (8-6) Led to 10f out, chased winner to over 3f out, stayed prominent, driven over 1f out, soon edged right and unable to quicken final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Moonshine Creek (8-10) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Coral Shores 10-1 (9-1) Keen, held up towards rear, headway halfway to track leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 10l behind That'll Do Nicely (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Medieval Maiden 50-1 (10-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 16, 10l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f am hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Adage 14-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner 2f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Rare Coincidence (9-4) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Mid Valley 4-1 (8-6) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 22l behind Eseej (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 42l behind King of The Beers (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3f app hcp (6) fbs in Mar.
