mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression
held up, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
stumbled start, soon chased leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
behind, ridden over 1f out, never able to challenge
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Conditions and trip suit COBO BAY and the Kevin Ryan-trained gelding may just about be good enough to defy a 6lb penalty and follow up a recent Nottingham success, while Osteopathic Remedy and Spirit Of A Nation both have claims. Amy Ryan gets on well with Cobo Bay, whom she partnered on his last two starts. This good to soft ground looks ideal for the four-year-old, and he has won off 1lb higher than this last season, so should be able to defy the extra burden today. If he doesn't then there are a couple of others who will be waiting to take advantage. Osteopathic Remedy has not struck gold for almost a year now, but he has his optimum conditions again and is back on that last winning mark. The nagging doubt with him is that, although he is effective over 7f, his wins have mainly come over a mile and he may just lack the toe. Spirit Of A Nation is chasing a hat-trick here that would span 15 months if landed. He is proven on soft ground and won over both this trip and a mile in handicaps last summer but has not been seen since the second of those at Doncaster. If fit to do himself justice first-time then he looks a major player. Eton Rifles has his conditions but perhaps the assessor just has him for now, while featherweight Smarty Socks can not be ruled out after return to form at York last time, and he has twice previously backed-up wins. Stevie Gee has won off a fair bit higher than this and not too long ago either. He handles the ground well and would be no surprise winner, but Cobo Bay is the one for us.
Protector (SAF) 50-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 9th of 15, 5l behind Quest For Success (8-11) at Hamilton 6f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Cobo Bay 5-4fav (9-8) Led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, regained lead 1f out, kept on under pressure, won at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy beating Jack Cool (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Arabian Spirit 7-2fav (9-4) Close up on outer, chased leading pair under pressure 2f out, driven and edged left and no impression over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Tudor Key (8-9) at Lingfield 1m stks 0-90 (3) pol.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 7-1fav (9-3) Keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 17, 7l behind City Of The Kings (9-5) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Mastership (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Slowly into stride, switched right soon after start, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Dancourt (8-8) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Lucky Dance (BRZ) 22-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 15th of 17, 14l behind City Of The Kings (9-5) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Eton Rifles (IRE) 15-8fav (9-11) Close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Dickie Le Davoir (8-8) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Santiago Atitlan 100-1 (8-6) Always behind, last of 15, 16l behind Quest For Success (8-11) at Hamilton 6f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Stevie Gee (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 7l behind Mount Hadley (9-10) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Shotley Mac 12-1 (9-13) Led, headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Smarty Socks (9-2) at York 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Smarty Socks (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Behind, headway and switched right over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at York 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Happy Anniversary (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Silver Rime (FR) 9-2fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and kept on final 2f, no impression, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Kal Barg (9-2) at Haydock 1m hcap (3) gf in Sep.
Spirit of A Nation (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 2f out, quickened to lead approaching final furlong, edged right and kept on inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun '08 beating Astrodonna (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
