slowly into stride,ran green in rear, ridden 3f out, good headway over 1f out, finished well, nearest finish
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance, held when squeezed out near finish
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, slightly short of room inside final furlong, faded
led 2f, stayed prominent, still every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden 7f out, lost place and weakened quickly 3f out
behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not quite reached leaders
prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides
pulled hard, led after 2f, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, raced wide in rear, hung badly right, tailed off halfway
held up behind, headway on outer 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong
held up, headway from over 2f out, strong run final furlong, gaining towards finish, took 2nd close home
in touch, chased leaders 2f out, weakened 1f out
Not a particularly competitive look to this maiden, and four for the short list are Swell Lad, Madhavi, A Thousand Smiles and the newcomer Esprit De Corps, and we take the latter to score. Sir Mark Prescott has a pretty good strike rate with his three-year-olds here, and with his few recent runners on the all weather going well, this Hernando colt will probably be straight enough first time. He will want a bit further than this in time, but we can see him going well on debut. He wouldn't have to be anything special to beat the rest of them. A Thousand Smiles probably rates as the main danger. Michael Jarvis's filly should go well with her allowance here, though whether she will act on the surface remains to be seen. The trip should be fine for her and if she can run up to her form thus far then she will be thereabouts. Swell Lad has failed to get home on two previous tries over this and longer trips and after a couple of abortive efforts over hurdles recently, he has a bit to prove. Meanwhile Madhavi is not without some ability and is interesting stepped up to this trip for the first time. However, strictly on the book she has a bit to find, and we will side with Esprit De Crops to make a winning debut.
Esprit de Corps Hernando colt, full brother to middle-distance winners Bien Entendu and Foreign Affairs and stayer Affaire d'Amour.
Golo Gal 50-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, headway over 4f out, went third over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Kyles Prince (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
Highliner 40-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Chicken Soup (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Paddy's Tern 100-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden, weakened over 3f out, 13th of 16, well behind Mr Vegas (9-0) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) sft in May.
Red Sans 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Cordier (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Jan.
Swell Lad 12-1 (9-2) Led for 1f, headed and remained in touch, pushed along over 3f out and soon behind, 16th of 18, 15l behind Carpet Ride (8-13) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Wavertree One Off 14-1 (9-13) Saddle slipped soon after start, held up in touch, lost place from 3f out, soon tailed off, 11th of 12, 36l behind Cayman Calypso (9-12) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
A Thousand Smiles (IRE) 4-5fav (8-9) Raced keenly, led 2f, tracked leader, led again 6f out, driven and headed well over 2f out, no impression when eased final furlong, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Grey Plover (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn stk (5) sft in Oct.
Bavarica 8-1 (8-1) Held up, always towards rear, 10th of 14, 15l behind Chicken Soup (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Dancing Beauty (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly away and always behind, 10th of 11, 13l behind John Robie (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
Danse Spectre (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Bogside Dancer (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn sft in Oct.
Elleray (IRE) Docksider filly, half-sister to winning miler Heversham.
Lady Pilot 14-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Easy Laughter (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Madhavi 25-1 (8-5) Raced far side, chased leader, led that group over 3f out until over 1f out, 8th of 17, 16l behind Davenport (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
