tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, kept on gainly
held up, tracked leaders over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, in rear, headway and switched left over 2f out, soon hung right, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
held up, towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out weakened final furlong
Sir Duke comes into this in cracking form having won four of his last five starts, latterly over 1m4f at Wolverhampton, but he has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for those successes and looks worth taking on over this longer trip today with preference for Charlotte Vale, who gets the vote with Royal Amnesty rated the pick of the remainder. The selection only beat three rivals when successful at Pontefract last month but she was good value for that success and a 3lb rise for that seems perfectly fair. Mark Johnston's Record Breaker did not progress as much as may have been anticipated last term and could be of interest on his reappearance, while Hue could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Howard Johnson's Motive came good over hurdles at Wetherby recently which my give some confidence for this return to the flat but he is hard to back with confidence on his form on the level last year. Linda Perratt's Royal Amnesty has been in good form of late and has every chance if staying the trip but he is far from certain to do so and a safer bet looks to be Charlotte Vale.
Record Breaker (IRE) 5-1 (7-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place over 6f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 11th of 15, 12l behind Regal Flush (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept.
Motive (FR) 28-1 (8-12) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Flipando (9-3) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May '07.
Hue 11-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Silver Suitor (9-9) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Charlotte Vale 15-8jt-fav (8-8) Led, headed over 6f out, remained in touch, regained lead 3f out, clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m 4f hcap (4) gf in May beating Tartan Tie (9-4) by 6l, 4 ran.
Sir Duke (IRE) 9-4 (8-5) Made all, hung left over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May beating Dawn Sky (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Royal Amnesty 4-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, smooth headway to track leaders until not clear run over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, led close home, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May beating Lochiel (8-10) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
