led until over 7f out, ridden and weakened to over 5f out, soon behind
started slowly, held up, struggling over 5f out, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders, effort over 3f out, soon faded
dwelt, held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace
in touch, struggling over 3f out, soon beaten
with leader, led over 7f out, headed halfway, led again over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied, just failed
tracked leaders, led halfway, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon behind, headway well over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out
held up, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
Romil Star gets the vote over Distant Cousin, Shingle Street and Saltrio. Romil Star has taken on better company than this in the past, and always goes well round here. In fact he was gaining his eighth course win when landing an amateur riders' claimer the time before last, and will appreciate being back on this surface after a poor run when switched to Turf at Catterick just over a fortnight ago. His pilot today can claim 5lb, and that should be enough for him to see off the challenge of Distant Cousin who is also a course-and-distance winner but has not been in the best of form. Shingle Street is dropped in grade, but this winning hurdler will find the trip on the short side, and Saltrio has not won on the level for five years, so all in all, Romil Star looks the safest bet.
Shingle Street (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened straight, 6th of 14, 9l behind Kayf Aramis (8-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcap (5) sft in Apr.
Saltrio 100-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, 25th of 36, 41l behind Landing Light (9-4) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B) gf in Oct '03.
Afadan (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride and always behind, 8th of 10, 15l behind Polish Power (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Apr.
Gawrosz (POL) 100-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, 36l behind Celtic Carisma (9-3) at Southwell 2m hcap (6) gd in Apr.
Romil Star (GER) 10-1 (8-8) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 11th of 17, 20l behind Liberty Seeker (9-10) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Apr.
Distant Cousin 25-1 (8-9) In rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on from over 1f out but not trouble leaders, 7th of 14, 10l behind Turner's Touch (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Starcross Maid 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Heathers Girl (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Apr.
Molly's Secret 14-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, led over 2f out, headed and hampered over 1f out, hampered again and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Chater Knight (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f app sll (6) pol in Apr.