always towards rear, ridden and weakened from 3f out
mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, no headway over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, chased leaders over 1f out, not pace to challenge final furlong, kept on one pace
behind, headway and effort 2f out, soon ridden, not quicken and weakened quickly over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, headed and lost 2 places final strides
tracked leader, pressed winner 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
held up behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish and gaining on winner final strides
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on final furlong nearest finish
led, pressed 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon pressed, rallied inside final furlong to lead again final strides, all out
Mae Cigan is the safest option in a modest race for the track. Red Merlin and Wester Ross are others that make a modicum of appeal. Tagula Blue has every chance on the pick of his old form whilst Check Up has been running well in modest contests and Xtravaganza clearly relishes soft ground and has to enter calculations. She's So Pretty responded well to blinkers last time but has yet to show her form with cut in the ground so is passed over. Wester Ross can look onepaced but is on a fair mark and should handle the ground as should Red Merlin who may benefit from the fitting of some headgear. There are no such concerns regarding the in-form selection who is no more than fairly handicapped but he has his optimum conditions here and Mae Cigan can make the most of them.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-8) Slowly away, lost many lengths, behind, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 1l behind Charlie Kennet (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May '06.
Mae Cigan (FR) 4-1fav (9-11) Held up towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Hurlingham (10-0) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Wester Ross (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Higgy's Boy (8-9) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
War of The Roses (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 23l behind Lilac Moon (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Red Merlin (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, pulled hard, ridden approaching 2f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 5l behind Any Given Day (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Xtravaganza (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, plugged on one pace, never dangerous final 2f, 5th of 12, 15l behind Miss Rochester (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
She's So Pretty (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Keen in rear, headway 5f out, led over 3f out, hard ridden when headed near finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Soundbyte (8-7) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Check Up (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, every chance 3f out, switched right 1f out, kept on inside final furlong without troubling winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Flying Grey (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Trysting Grove (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway 3f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 7l behind Flying Grey (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Megalala (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened from 2f out, 11th of 13, 14l behind The Composer (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
