mid-division, headway 3f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on well
always behind
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression
always behind
held up, headway 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, under pressure well over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, effort 3f out, weakened final 2f
in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung left and beaten
led until ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, weakened 2f out
held up in touch, switched right to challenge over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on well, driven out
in touch, weakened over 2f out, eased
always behind
behind, switched right and ridden to challenge over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
A number with realistic claims but we'll focus on three with Lilac Moon selected ahead of Pitbull and Princewallywogan. The selection won a claimer for Ann Duffield last term before switching to her current yard for whom she made the frame on her first three starts before disappointing on her final outing. That was not her form and it may be worth taking a chance with her this afternoon although it's a concern that her yard has had few runners of late. Pitbull wasn't suited by the run of the race nor the track last month and will find today's conditions more to his liking. He's slipped to a fair mark and should be a threat to all in this company. Princewallywogan beat Flight Dream on his penultimate start before running well in defeat at Bath, a track which may not have played to his strengths. He's in such good form that it's impossible to leave him off the short-list but we're happy to chance Lilac Moon at a potentially more rewarding price.
Pitbull 16-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, some headway over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Don Pietro (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Flight Dream (FR) 9-2 (9-1) Went left start, behind, ridden halfway, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 9, 11l behind Miltons Choice (9-0) at Folkestone 6f app hcp (6) gs in Apr.
Zach's Harmoney (USA) 100-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 15, 7l behind Tartan Bearer (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs in Apr.
Three Strings (USA) 16-1 (8-0) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Force Group (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Gala Sunday (USA) 28-1 (8-6) Behind, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 9th of 13, 28l behind Dispol Isle (9-2) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
Calcutta Cup (UAE) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Colonel Flay (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Etoile Russe (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Made most until driven and headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 15, 14l behind I'll Do It Today (9-5) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr '07.
Mozayada (USA) 25-1 (8-6) In touch, effort over 3f out, soon beaten, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Karmest (8-7) at Beverley 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs in Apr.
L'Oiseau de Feu (USA) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and hung left well over 1f out, edged right, no impression on leaders when hung left well inside final furlong, 9th of 17, 3l behind Terminate (11-3) at Warwick 1m 3f amt hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Lilac Moon (GER) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 13, 31l behind Alfie Tupper (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Black Falcon (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Led, ridden, headed over 1f out, rallied, battled gamely inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Bentley Brook (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f hcap (4) fbs.
Floodlight Fantasy 4-1fav (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, joined well inside final furlong, headed near finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Our Kes (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (6) pol.
Princelywallywogan 7-2 (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon switched right, kept on to chase leaders and took 2nd line, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Top Seed (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Apr.
Grafty Green (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division on inside when hit rail 6f out, soon towards rear, no chance when eased over 1f out, last of 13, 32l behind Oasis Sun (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Dr Light (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, driven along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 16, 5l behind Ainama (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jun.
The Grey One (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 11l behind Ermine Grey (8-2) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gd.
