in touch, soon steadied, ridden and behind final 2f
soon led, ridden 3f out, all out when headed inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, kept on final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened soon after halfway
keen, mid-division, headway over 2f out, led briefly inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace
held up, headway over 3f out, close up when hampered over 1f out, not recover
Sun Bian is open to improvement and gets the nod over Labelled With Love and Nan Jan, who can give the selection the most to think about, although it would be interesting to see money for Mid Valley, who has little to find to get involved under top weight. The last named has been struggling to find his feet of late, though and needs to post an improved display. Nan Jan was also been a little below par before finishing a good second at Southwell last time. He needs to step up on that effort today and, assuming the trip is not beyond him, the gelding can go close. Labelled With Love has been consistent and has solid each-way claims in this company. However, like many of the rest, a mile stretches him to the limit and he will always be vulnerable to a sucker punch over this distance. Therefore, we take our chances with Sun Bian, who has the proven stamina and, as a lightly raced type, he has enough scope to make plenty of appeal as the one to take a chance with in the lucky last.
Mid Valley 9-2 (8-10) Held up, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 11, 10l behind The Grey One (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Apr.
Ceredig 25-1 (9-6) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon held, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Stamford Blue (9-11) at Salisbury 6f ldy rds hcp (5) gf.
Rafferty (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Pappas Ruby (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs.
Shinko (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) In touch early, well behind over 2f out, last of 14, 36l behind Legal Lover (8-11) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Labelled With Love 7-2fav (8-12) Held up, effort over 2f out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Binnion Bay (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Nan Jan 14-1 (8-11) Behind, stayed on well final furlong, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Pappas Ruby (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs.
Ellen's Girl (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Chased leaders early, driven over 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong, 5th of 14, 2l behind Legal Lover (8-11) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Trouble Maker 5-1 (9-2) Behind, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 12, 6l behind Double M (8-12) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in May '06.
Just Fly 9-1 (8-0) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden over 2f out soon weakened, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Double Spectre (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) frm in Apr.
Jools 16-1 (8-11) Close up early, driven over 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Legal Lover (8-11) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Postage (USA) 6-1 (9-6) In touch on inside, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind King After (9-9) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Apr.
Sun Bian 11-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Very Well Red (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
