prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, every chance when left clear last
held up, lost place quicky 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, fourth when blundered and unseated rider last
towards rear, headway 3 out, driven and outpaced next
tracked leaders, led 5th, every chance when fell last
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, left moderate 4th last
Nonrunner
A trappy affair for punters to start their day on and SPEARMAN is a speculative call ahead of Scale Bank and Posh Bird. Bought for 105 000 guineas in 2007 at the Doncaster Sales, connections have been notably patient but he won an Irish point on fast ground so there is every reason to believe that he'll cope with today's surface on rules introduction. Scale Bank was third at Wetherby last week over a similar trip. It would be no surprise to see him raced prominently around here. Posh Bird has experience of racing on a fast surface. She appeared to appreciate been ridden closer to the pace on her latest outing at Down Royal. Hightori can be entitled to come on from his first run following a long absence. His dam's record has been dismal as a source of winners. Lugato has had plenty of chances but one should always make a note of any Jimmy Lambe runners in the market. Waterdale has been well held since arriving on these shores. The Classic Fox was a modest miler on the flat. The well bred Mardood has proved a bitter disappointment while Loch Awe has become a regular in plating company. Having considered the alternatives, Spearman is our selection.
Hightori 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 16, 35l behind Sir Tantallus Hawk (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Scale Bank (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Held up in touch, tracked leaders approaching 7th, led approaching 3 out, headed soon after, switched right approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Jayne's Crusader (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Spearman (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Rcd 3rd/4th, prog 3out, sn ld & drew clr, won at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp in May beating Arrive Alive (11-7) by 6l, 15 ran.
Waterdale (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 3 out, driven approaching next, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 11, 31l behind Presque Perdre (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Bernshaw 200-1 (10-7) Held up, jumped slow and left 1st, never dangerous, 7th of 11, well behind Calusa Crystal (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Loch Awe 20-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bonneta (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Mardood 150-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 38l behind Santo Stefano (11-1) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Posh Bird (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to 4th 4 out, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on, no extra run-in, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Liscarton Oscar (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 sft in Mar.
Shara Like Magic 28-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out and soon beaten, 9th of 14, 41l behind Agglestone Rock (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) sft in Dec.
The Classic Fox 100-1 (7-7) Always behind, last of 9, well behind Quince (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep '05 (flat).
Lugato (GER) 28-1 (11-5) Held up, driven and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 9, 20l behind Agglestone Rock (10-7) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
