led to halfway, soon ridden, not quickened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, never nearer
prominent, ridden halfway, every chance inside final furlong, soon weakened
held up, switched left and headway 1f out, not clear run, switched right inside final furlong, ran on strongly
prominent and keen, led halfway, driven out
in touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened
Urbe Condita can step up a gear to account for Charles Parnell, Libor and Dragon Flame. Urbe Condita displayed a good turn of foot when failing by a whisker to overhaul Sea Salt on his Musselburgh debut and will be a popular choice to go one better today. Tim Etherington's gelding would have beaten that 82-rated rival in another stride at the Scottish track, and it is hard not to fancy his chances here, with not much strength in depth among the opposition. Libor appears to be his main rival, hailing as he does from the in-form yard of Luca Cumani, and this son of Lend A Hand may just appreciate being dropped back slightly in distance after finding six furlongs just too much at Redcar in the race won by the odds-on River Kirov. Charles Parnell was a beaten favourite on his final outing as a juvenile and returns to the fray but might need the run, while Dragon Flame is at least fit after three runs, but if Urbe Condita improves only a few pounds, he should prove hard to beat.
Lord Mayfair (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, went right soon after start, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 20l behind Dancing Deano (9-0) at Carlisle 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gs in May.
Hilltop Fantasy 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 24l behind My Obsession (9-10) at Folkestone 7f mdn stk (5) sft in Mar.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 22l behind Hogmaneigh (9-0) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Sept.
Dragon Flame (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 7, 5l behind Cheney Hill (9-0) at Bath 5f mdn aut stk (6) sft in May.
Libor (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) In touch, chased winner over 1f out, driven, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind River Kirov (9-3) at Redcar 6f 3yo mdn aut (5) gd in May.
Urbe Condita (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched right and ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final fulong, just failed, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sea Salt (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Orpenlina (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 10l behind Jakeini (9-3) at Catterick 5f 3yo mdn aut (6) gs in May.
Dominello 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 18l behind Night In (9-0) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
