in touch, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 5th, led going well before 2 out, ridden clear last, eased near finish
raced keenly, led, headed 4th, soon lost place, behind from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 4th, outpaced next, soon weakened
raced keenly in touch, lost place 3rd, soon behind
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression approaching last
tracked leader, led fourth, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
raced keenly in mid-division, close up 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
Malcolm Jefferson looks to have a progressive performer for this time of year in the shape of Dewasentah, and he is confidently expected to cope with the challenges of Nifty Roy and The Needler. It will also be interesting to see how Western Roots gets on his hurdling debut. He is a fair performer, albeit at a modest level, from the Flat and he could have the speed to figure prominently in this company. The Needler is very lightly raced and, thus, is entitled to improve this season. However, he did not show much in either of his previous starts so there is too much guesswork included when assessing his claims. Therefore, the experience held by Nifty Roy makes him the obvious threat to the selection. The five-year-old acts on any type of ground and is capable of exploiting any mishaps. However, Dewasentah has already shown that he is a capable performer and, with Graham Lee back in the plate, he is fancied to brush aside all challengers today.
Nifty Roy 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Herne Bay (11-13) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf, 15 ran.
Dewasentah (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Jun beating Keep On Movin' (10-11) by 12l, 15 ran.
Irish Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division to 4th, soon well behind and pulled up 4 out in race won by Prayerful (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in May '04, 14 ran.
Mandhoor (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 4 out in race won by Fair Spin (11-0) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
The Needler (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Not fluent, led to 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 18l behind Charlton Kings (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Western Roots 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Nimello (10-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol (Flat).
Cash Return 25-1 (9-11) Mistake 4th, always behind, 8th of 13, well behind Lilac (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (E) gs.
Europrime Games 66-1 (10-10) Always behind, mistake 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, well behind Quazar (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Sept '01.
