always behind, tailed off final 3f
in touch, chased winner over 4f out to over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
made all, ridden 3f out, held on gamely final furlong
mid-division, outpaced 7f out, soon behind
mid-division, driven and lost place 7f out, weakened and eased 3f out
raced keenly in touch, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, soon weakened
close up on inside, lost place halfway, tailed off final 3f
chased winner, ridden and effort over 3f out, weakened final furlong
close up on inside, outpaced 7f out, soon behind
held up, headway 6f out, went 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden and every chance, held inside final furlong
Plenty of these are open to improvement making it a very tough race to assess and we will give a tentative vote to Tous Chez, Sabreflight and Mulligan's Pride look to be the main dangers. Sue Smith's six-year-old showed plenty of promise in two similar races last season. Both events have worked out very well and he appears to have the best form on show. Sabreflight is from a top yard, and although she hasn't raced for eighteen months she has to be watched very closely in the betting market. Meanwhile Mulligan's Pride has shown he has plenty of ability with two very good efforts in similar company in the summer. Branodunum and Overnight are sure to improve on their debut efforts, but Tous Chez has the best overall form and gets the nod.
Custom Design 12-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 18, 16l behind Giovanna (10-7) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Forty Shakes (IRE) 1-2fav (12-5) slipped up in race won by Strongtrooper (12-5) at Mordon 3m ptp frm in May, 3 ran.
Mulligan's Pride (IRE) 15-8 (11-1) In touch, pushed along 5f out, outpaced 4f out, rallied 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Bluecoat (11-1) at Hexham 2m nhf (H) gf in Jun.
Overnight 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, effort over 2f out, one pace under pressure, 3rd of 11, 21l behind One More Step (10-11) at Hexham 2m nhf (H) gf in Oct.
Topwell 25-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 20, 14l behind The Big Canadian (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Tous Chez (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Bayside (10-4) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gs in Jan.
Sabreflight 16-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden to press leaders 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 19, 4 1/2l behind Marsh Run (11-0) at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (A) sft in Mar '04.
Trafalgar Man (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway on inner over 5f out, chased winner well over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Jontys'lass (10-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) gf in May.
