raced wide, led to 7th, led again 10, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
tracked leader, reminders and lost place 9th, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
tracked leaders until fell 8th
held up, headway 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
held up in touch, effort when hit 3 out, kept on same pace from next
raced wide, held up, headway 5th, led 7th to 10th, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, headway 10th, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well
held up, headway 10th, chased leaders next, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression
Ferdy Murphy is back amongst the winners and his runner Negus de Beaumont can follow up a recent success, San Piere and Gabor look to be the obvious dangers. The selection stayed on well to comfortably beat El Andaluz at Newcastle 11 days ago. The extra trip here shouldn't be a problem and the trainer can strike while the iron is hot. San Piere has no stamina doubts and with the yard in such good form he has to be considered despite returning from a break. Gabor has been in great form this season and although possibly in the handicapper's grip he should still be in the shake up. Of the others Lady Of Scarvagh has claims on her best form However Negus de Beaumont has plenty of scope for improvement and he gets our vote.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 8, 26l behind According To Pete (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Gabor 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden along after 4th, outpaced 6th, stayed approaching last, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Spring Breeze (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Count The Cost (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, ridden 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 18l behind Solway Minstrel (10-8) at Cartmel 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in May.
San Peire (FR) 7-2co-fav (11-12) Held up in touch, driven and headway 3 out, ridden next, every chance when hit last, weakened quickly flat, 5th of 7, 8l behind Moustique de L'Isle (11-3) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar.
Minster Shadow 9-1 (11-7) Prominent, pushed along 4 out, chased winner next, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Skenfrith (11-2) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Mar '05.
Aston (USA) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 13th, weakened 5 out, 6th of 8, well behind Celtic Flow (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 5f hcp chs (4) gd.
Negus de Beaumont (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Held up mid-division, hit 6th, headway 5 out, outpaced next, rallied after 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd beating El Andaluz (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 19 ran.
Lady of Scarvagh (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 10th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Potts of Magic (10-8) at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.