tracked leaders, led and flashed tail approaching final furlong, rider lost whip and edged right inside final furlong, pushed out
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon faded
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, weakened halfway
slowly into stride, behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
The shortlist contains Cummiskey, Cookie Cutter, Starling and Hillbilly Cat, with the vote going to Cummiskey. Cummiskey showed very good promise when last seen in September 2004, his form rating in the mid-70s, and a repeat of that type of effort would give him solid claims here. Cookie Cutter's best Irish efforts rated in the high-60s so he cannot be discounted in what is, overall, a modest affair, although he'll have to improve on an average five-furlong Wolverhampton run last time. Starling is another Irish import whose form can justifiably be rated up near the 70 mark, so he is respected, while Irish raider Stylistic has form around the 60 mark so might be good for a place, and Hillbilly Cat showed enough at Musselburgh last time to suggest that he too can have his say. Finally, Opening Line should be watched in the betting, just in case, but, for the selection, we return to Cummiskey, but keep an eye on the betting.
Cummiskey (IRE) 7-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cyclical (9-7) at Goodwood 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gf in Sept '04.
Dysonic (USA) 33-1 (8-10) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened, 6th of 13, 8l behind Star Fern (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Opening Line Opening Verse gelding out of a moderate maiden.
Weet Yer Tern (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon not much room on inside, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 15l behind Atlantic Quest (9-5) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Cookie Cutter (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Led over 1f, ridden halfway, edged left and weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Almaty Express (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Starling (IRE) 3-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, mainly 4th, dropped to 5th from before straight, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 12, 3l behind Supercat (8-7) at Clonmel 1m 2f app clm gf in Aug.
Stylistic (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up, weakened early straight, eased inside final furlong, last of 14, 25l behind Goose Island (9-8) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp 0-70 gd in Sept.
Hillbilly Cat (USA) 33-1 (8-11) With leader, outpaced over 1f out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Memphis Man (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Apr.
