led, headed after 6f and remained in touch, regained lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, led after 6f, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, ran on
dwelt and behind, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung right and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
started slowly, soon prominent, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Not the strongest of contests but certainly not the easiest to solve for punters and it is Salut Saint Cloud that we recommend ahead of Champagne Shadow and Bienhereux. The selection hails from the very much in-form Gary Moore stable and won readily enough last time out. Although better known as a hurdler, he stays this trip well enough and can make use of this modest mark. Champagne Shadow regularly places on this surface but has proved difficult to win with in the past. A tactical race would play to his strengths. Bienheureux has won plenty in the past and is interestingly stepped up to try this trip. The market is watched. Sea Map is an ex-Sylvester Kirk inmate that has been kept over hurdles of late. Positive Profile has a good strike rate on the all-weather surfaces although there is an absence to overcome. Victory Quest wins in his turn although the handicapper has not been quick to drop him in the weights. Salut Saint Cloud could be worth another try here so we accordingly recommend him having considered the alternatives.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 7f out, hung left from over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Salute (9-8) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Positive Profile (IRE) 22-1 (9-9) Behind, outpaced over 3f out, headway and hung left from over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 10, 6l behind Prairie Sun (8-3) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in May '05.
Salut Saint Cloud 5-4fav (10-0) Prominent, in lead over 4f, clear over 1f, pushed out final furlong, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Victory Quest (9-9) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Victory Quest (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Soon led, headed and remained in touch over 4f out, chased winner final 2f, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-0) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Bienheureux 9-2 (8-4) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 13l behind Jackie Kiely (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Acceleration (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 4f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-0) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Sea Map 11-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led well over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov '05 beating Champion Lion (9-6) by a hd, 12 ran.
