held up mid-division, weakened final 2f
mid-division, weakened 3f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, lost place final 2f
slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, staying on when hampered inside final furlong
held up, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
held up, headway over 2f out, led and hung left over 1f out, ran on well
held up, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon edged right and weakened
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Esteem gets the call here ahead of Aggravation and Top Mark. Esteem overcame a modest draw to win at Thirsk last time, looking an improved performer in the process. He can overcome his four-pounds rise in the ratings. Colinca's Lad holds place claims, Aggravation is back to a winning mark from June 2006, Treasure Hunt is back to a Beverley winning mark, although that win came over seven furlongs, Reeling N' Rocking has not built on his November Kempton win, Salonga is an improver but is hard to assess based on her all-weather maiden win and Mitanni is open to improvement. Night Cru is two pounds above a course and distance winning mark from last July and his latest run was put down to an irregular heartbeat. Top Mark would hold a chance if transferring his best all-weather form, San Antonio needs to get back to his best 2005 form, and Carmenero holds claims on his best 2005 form and his stable is now running into a bit of form. Once again, though, the selection is Esteem.
Carmenero (GER) 10-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 14, 8l behind Apex (8-4) at Bath 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Esteem 13-2 (9-4) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Cool Ebony (9-6) by a hd, 10 ran.
San Antonio 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, lost place over 2f out, last of 10, 9l behind Lopinot (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Top Mark 14-1 (8-6) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 14, 3l behind Montpellier (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Paraguay (USA) 14-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, never in contention, 7th of 11, 11l behind Ballinteni (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Night Cru 8-1 (9-2) Always behind, tailed off from over 2f out, last of 17, well behind Flighty Fellow (8-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Snark (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 12th of 14, 8l behind Nightspot (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Salonga (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, led 3f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov beating Chasing A Dream (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Reeling N' Rocking (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Held up, driven 3f out, brief effort over 1f out, 8th of 10, 7l behind Sailor King (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Soul Blazer (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Led, ridden when hung right and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 7l behind Stanerra's Story (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Treasure House (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, ridden on outside halfway, came wide into straight, plugged on final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Blue Line (8-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Marbaa (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, 34l behind Shape Up (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Aggravation 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 12th of 18, 8l behind Zazous (10-0) at Salisbury 7f ldy rds hcp (6) gf.
Colinca's Lad (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Good Article (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
Scroll 16-1 (8-4) Always in rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, 10l behind Night Wolf (8-6) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Aberlady Bay (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) Driven along and outpaced, 11th of 13, 24l behind Stoneacre Fred (8-12) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Mitanni (USA) 7-4 (9-5) In touch, not much room 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Iannis (9-5) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
