tracked leader, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway from 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, lost place well over 2f out
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
led until over 2f out, soon faded
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon no impression
held up in touch, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden before halfway, soon one pace
soon outpaced and behind
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Although MY MATE MAL is without a win since October he has been progressing since the turn of the year and we tip him to score here with close competition coming from Gracie's Gift and Louisiade. The selection was second at the most recent attempt, running his best race since that win last year off a mark of 63. Now rated 55 he looks more than capable of winning this handicap. The gelding was third when last over course and distance and looks set to make a much improved return. Gracie's Gift has shown some improvement since joining Rae Guest and was a winner here a couple of starts ago. He was raised 5lb for that win and it seemed to have hindered progress last time out when finishing third at Wolverhampton but a return to a track she was last successful on should see her make the minors Louisiade was sixth over course and distance last time, he will have come on for that run and he has won here four times in the past. He is a rather inconsistent sort but is capable of being thereabouts at the post. Haroldini, Magical Song and Bold Diva all have claims but will need to improve if they are to finish in the top three. For victory we can look no further than My Mate Mal.
Avontuur (FR) 18-1 (8-8) Held up, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 12, 11l behind Cape of Storms (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Haroldini (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, kept on well, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Cap St Jean (9-5) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs in Apr.
Young Gladiator (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakening when hampered 2f out, 9th of 13, 25l behind Josr's Magic (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Sep.
Legal Lover (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, went second over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 15, 7l behind Jawaab (9-1) at Haydock 1m hcap (5) gf in Sep '07.
Captain Royale (IRE) 18-1 (9-7) Close up on outside, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 16th of 17, 35l behind Rowan Lodge (9-13) at Beverley 1m sell stks (5) gf in Apr.
Gracie's Gift (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) In touch, led over 1f out, soon edged left, headed near finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Diego Rivera (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Magical Song 8-1 (9-7) Prominent, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened, 8th of 14, 14l behind Cap St Jean (9-5) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs in Apr.
Bold Diva 9-1 (8-6) Headway over 5f out, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Diego Rivera (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Copper King 20-1 (8-8) Unseated rider and loose on way to start, always behind, 9th of 12, 7l behind Jord (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Out of India 100-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, hampered over1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 9l behind Dancing Maite (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Louisiade (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon never able to challenge, 6th of 14, 9l behind Cap St Jean (9-5) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs in Apr.
Osteopathic Care (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Chased leader until ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 17l behind Sarah Park (9-2) at Nottingham 1m hcap (6) gd in Jul.
My Mate Mal 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader on outside, effort 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Sign of The Cross (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Apr.
Goodbye Cash (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, behind from halfway, 9th of 14, 18l behind Elusive Warrior (9-4) at Southwell 7f sell hcp (6) fbs in Jun.
