towards rear, headway 4f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, shaken up and headway on inside 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on gamely
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway from 3f out, kept on one pace
switched left start, mid-division, switched right and effort 1f out, kept on
led, ridden 3f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
switched left start, mid-division, ridden and headway from over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up, short of room and hampered soon after leaving stalls, ridden 3f out, no impression
held up, ridden and no chance when drifted right from 3f out, behind
pulled early and switched left start, chased leaders, every chance from over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent and pulled hard early, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, went 2nd close home
switched left start, prominent, ridden 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd final furlong, no extra close home
very slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off
In an intriguing opener, ROCK ANTHEM can get the better of Strike Force and Sir Boss. Unraced as a juvenile, Sir Boss has been lightly campaigned and open to improvement. He took a maiden last year and has been very consistent since, turning in a sound effort to be placed on his re-appearance. Strike Force has been out of form since winning successive races in September, but he showed definite signs of a return to form at Newmarket recently, though this shorter trip may be against him. Rock Anthem's only win on turf came two years ago, but he is well treated compared to his all weather rating. He underlined that fact when staying on well over a mile to be a close second to a well handicapped type last time. He should be suited by this extra quarter mile on that evidence, and Rock Anthem can regain the winning thread.
Another Bottle (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway 4f out, chased leaders over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 13, 18l behind Corriolanus (8-1) at Newbury 1m 4f app hcp (5) gs.
Norman The Great 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind Safari Sunup (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f hcap (3) gd in Oct.
Sir Boss (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Keen, held up, headway from over 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Jo'burg (11-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
Venir Rouge 16-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 12th of 16, 17l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f am hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Western Roots 13-8fav (8-10) Led, soon clear, ridden 2f out, joined and headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Gross Prophet (9-11) at Chepstow 1m 2f clm stks (6) gf.
Princess Flame (GER) 8-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, led inside final 4f, headed inside final 3f, weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 13, 20l behind Corriolanus (8-1) at Newbury 1m 4f app hcp (5) gs.
Waterside (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 13, 4l behind Sign of The Cross (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Apr.
Chatanoogachoochoo 10-1 (9-1) Held up, effort over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 14, 5l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-4) at Musselburgh 7f hcap (6) gs in Sep.
Rock Anthem (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway and squeezed through to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on and closed on winner near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Full Victory (8-13) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Sinbad The Sailor 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders 7f, 9th of 14, 16l behind Beau Fighter (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Strike Force 18-1 (9-8) Behind, headway from well over 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Grand Art (10-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f (5) gf.
Houri (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division until weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 20l behind King Of Connacht (8-7) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
New England 4-1fav (8-9) In rear, ridden 4f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 12, 7l behind Graylyn Ruby (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Gamesters Lady 33-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 39l behind Terminate (8-7) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Ghaill Force 14-1 (11-1) Very slowly away, always in rear, 12th of 16, 19l behind Wizard Looking (11-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f Am hcp (6) pol in Feb '08.
