in touch, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden along and headway over 4f out, effort when weakening over 2f out
led, ridden over 3f out, driven and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, reminders over 4f out, driven and headway over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up behind leaders, smooth progress over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, never a factor
prominent, ridden along over 4f out, weakened approaching final furlong
always rear division
At first glance this would appear to be an obvious opening for Red Expresso but we're going to take a chance with BITE THE BOSS for whom market support would be most encouraging. Eoghan O'Neill has a perfectly respectable strike rate at the track and is more than capable of readying a runner after an absence such as this whilst his charge showed definite signs of ability in his three runs last year. Red Expresso was turned over in a seller last time out but he may actually find this contest less competitive and he holds a leading chance. Ratings also suggest that Nowzdetime should figure prominently but he failed to run to form when last in action and may be best watched as a consequence. Red Tarn saw out a similar trip well enough when behind Three Strings last time out and is feared most of the remainder but Bite The Boss is taken to make a winning return.
Amwell House 7-1 (9-2) Always prominent, went 2nd 7f out, every chance well over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Azabu Juban (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Nov.
Bite The Boss 14-1 (9-3) Held up, driven along and headway over 2f out, edged left and stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 11l behind Planetarium (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct '07.
General Tufto 22-1 (8-6) Raced in last place, detached 4f out, pushed along and headway 2f out, soon bumped by winner, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 4l behind Margot Mine (8-2) at Great Leighs 1m app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Nowzdetime (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Raced wide, keen, close up, ridden, hung left 3f out, soon hung right after, soon eased, last of 14, 35l behind Shanzu (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sept.
Pick of The Day (IRE) 22-1 (8-13) Mid-division until weakened over 2f out, 16th of 17, 21l behind Tiger Dream (8-13) at Thirsk 1m mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Red Expresso (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Barkass (9-6) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Red Tarn 16-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden along and outpaced over 3f, headway over 1f, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 14, 4l behind Three Strings (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
Grange Corner First Trump filly out of Blennerville.
Gulnaz 100-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 10, well behind Scarab (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) hvy in Nov.
Miss Holderness 200-1 (8-12) Prominent for 4f, last of 9, well behind Flight To Quality (9-3) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gd in Sept '07.