held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, no impression
in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders until over 2f out
held up in rear, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leader until weakened well over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always towards rear
held up in mid-division, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up mid-division and keen, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on
held up behind, never dangerous
Track Record is hard to assess for last week's Grand National winning trainer so keep an eye on the market here, but at this stage we prefer DISTANT MEMORIES to Albaqaa and Full Speed in a competitive race. A look back through our selection's form shows he goes well fresh - he finished second to recent Listed winner Opinion Poll on his first start of 2009 - likes a bit of cut and finds this trip ideal. He's also got a touch of class having finished second to Raise Your Heart in a Listed race late last season, so despite the fact he's giving weight to some progressive sorts the gelding deserves every pound he carries and, having had just seven starts, remains capable of better. Win, lose or draw today, he's one to keep on the right side for the time being, and we're hopeful he can reward followers instantly. Albaqaa ran a good race in The Lincoln and has won over this trip in the past. With Richard Fahey continuing in fine form he has to enter calculations, although on this ground we're doubtful he can produce the career best required to take home first prize. Full Speed won over further on Southwell's Fibresand surface last time but will find this tougher off a revised mark. However, Alan Swinbank is another trainer in form and his gelding has stamina in reserve, so on the climb to the line he should be staying on to go close. Shadows Lengthen has improved all winter, winning six on the spin to see his mark go up a massive 40lbs. He struggled off a mark of 55 when last seen on the turf so off 92 he's opposable, although clearly the horse has done plenty of improving and there could yet be more to come. Hidden Brief was well backed for the Cheshire Oaks last season despite being a maiden at the time and she ran well for fourth before taking a maiden over this trip. Clearly highly regarded by connections, it'll be disappointing if she can't run well off this mark of 92 and she should be cherry-ripe for this having taken third on her seasonal reappearance. With her yard in form, she's certainly one to be interested in at bigger prices if you like an each way play. Tartan Gigha ran well in Dubai but looks a shade high in the weights and has to prove his stamina, Mull Of Dubai hasn't gone close to winning on his seasonal debut since taking second in 2005, whilst Ouster has been off since disappointing at Epsom last spring, albeit in a good race that has worked out nicely. Track Record is the dark horse of the race having shown promise over hurdles on his first start for Jonjo O'Neill. He's got a stiff-looking mark for this British flat debut but the market will tell us whether he's thought good enough to run well from it. Mystery Star and Classic Vintage aren't ruled out but both tend to improve for their first run and we'll return to Distant Memories to land the feature race.
Distant Memories (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Always prominent, 2nd and challenged early straight, no impression when headed by winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Raise Your Heart (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Listed stks in Oct.
Mystery Star (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Behind, headway over 2f out, never able to challenge, 14th of 19, 13l behind Opinion Poll (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Classic Vintage (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Always mid-division, 8th of 19, 9l behind Opinion Poll (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Tartan Gigha (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Prominent, effort and not clear run over 1f out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 5l behind Vitznau (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Albaqaa 6-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway and switched right over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 21, 14l behind Penitent (9-2) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Mar.
Track Record (8-9) 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Tau (8-9) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 2f stk gd in Aug.
Mull of Dubai 10-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 9, 8l behind Hillview Boy (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Aug.
Hidden Brief 7-2 (8-8) Led, headed 7f out, tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Merchant Of Dubai (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gs in Mar.
Shadows Lengthen 5-6fav (9-13) Led after 1f, joined over 5f out, ridden and headed narrowly 1f out, stayed on gamely, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Victory Quest (8-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
Ouster (GER) 7-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, effort when hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 9l behind Debussy (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f con stks (2) gd in Apr '09.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 66-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, 13th of 21, 22l behind Penitent (9-2) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Mar.
Unbreak My Heart (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, last of 7, 8l behind Autumn Blades (8-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Solent (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed 4f out, weakened 3f out, eased, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Red Gala (9-9) at Chester 1m 5f listed hcp (1) gf in Aug '08.
Full Speed (GER) 11-2 (9-6) In touch in rear, progress over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar beating Kingsdale Orion (9-1) by 5l, 5 ran.
Sirgarfieldsobers (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, keen hold to go 2nd after 2f, ridden and weakened over 3f out, eased straight, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Andre Mon Ami (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-100 pol in Oct.
Camps Bay (USA) 16-1 (9-3) In touch, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 46l behind Hunterview (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct.
