prominent, ridden 2f out, lost place over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 1f out, one pace entering final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
carried left start, held up, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms, went 4th close home
tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place 3f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd final 100 yards, stayed on
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
went left start, took keen hold, tracked leaders, steadied over 3f out, outpaced from over 1f out
David O'Meara won this last year but Second Cut, a 33/1 chance when well beaten at Wolverhampton, will need to find massive improvement to stage a repeat. Bapak Asmara progressed with each run in his first season and though eventually well beaten on his comeback at Nottingham he showed good pace for a long way and the faster ground can enable him to go close. However, SOIE D'LEAU really caught the eye on his reappearance in a handicap at Redcar where he would have threatened the winner had he got a clear run and compensation awaits in this poor maiden.
Island Express (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Always behind, last of 6, 12l behind Aledaid (8-11) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Bapak Asmara (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 6, 3l behind Waady (9-7) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Final Venture Equiano gelding out of Sharplaw Venture.
Second Cut (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 7, 15l behind Excellent George (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) in Mar.
Soie D'leau 50-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway and not much room over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 6th of 17, 5l behind Normandy Barriere (8-12) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Kinloch Pride 66-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden when weakened 2f out, last of 12, 31l behind Handsome Dude (9-5) at York 5f 2yo mdn (3) gs in Oct.
Perfect Peak 100-1 (8-7) Dwelt, towards rear, some headway on outside over 2f out, soon edged right and weakened, last of 14, 26l behind Canny Kool (9-5) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep.
Thesme Exceed And Excel filly out of Final Dynasty.