held up, ridden over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, kept on final 2f
in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon clear
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, lost place halfway
in rear, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on
pushed along towards rear, behind halfway, tailed off over 4f out
led to halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
with leader and keen, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Greenbelt, Isa'af and McEldowney are all fancied to go close in the closing apprentice handicap with Isa'af our getting the nod to follow up his recent Southwell win. That race was over two miles but he has won over this course and distance before. Stamina will surely be the key and he has bags of it. He has won when there is cut in the ground before and he is our pick in the closing race. Greenbelt represents the in-form Gary Moore yard but he looks to have too much to do off top-weight in this ground. McEldowney travels down from Mark Johnston's Middleham stables. He recorded a three timer in eight days last summer and a return to that form would see him go close here. However, others are preferred and we will stick with Isa'af.
Greenbelt 6-4fav (8-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Kylkenny (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Isa'af (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, driven out, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar beating Victory Quest (8-13) by 2l, 6 ran.
McEldowney 6-1 (8-0) Pushed along mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Tcherina (8-1) at York 1m 4f app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
October Mist (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway 5f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 20l behind Inchnadamph (8-13) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Platinum Charmer (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, never near to challenge, 7th of 12, 9l behind Tranquilizer (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Ego Trip 6-1 (8-12) Led, headed 6f out, kept on final 2f, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Hernando's Boy (8-12) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Middlethorpe 7-1 (9-2) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 9l behind Scott (8-4) at York 1m 4f app hcp (E3) gd in Oct '04.
Pont Neuf (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 12l behind Yenaled (8-10) at Catterick 1m 4f app clm (6) gd in Oct.
Melodian 20-1 (8-6) Soon prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 14, 43l behind Woolstone Boy (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs in Oct.
Just Waz (USA) 8-1 (8-3) Tracked leader, driven over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 13, 16l behind Peak Park (9-8) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.