raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on under strong pressure, nearest finish
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
always in rear
keen, held up in touch, edged right and chased leader over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
close up, ridden over 3f out, clipped heels over 2f out, soon eased
chased leaders, led over 3f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous
raced wide, hung left throughout, soon pushed along in mid-division, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
Semper Paratus gets a speculative vote over Desert Fury, Leyaaly and Blake Hall Lad. With duck-eggs littered up and down this card there is no way that we can be confident of striking gold, but Semper Paratus, a winner on heavy ground at Chepstow in September 2004, did at least show a glimmer of hope when a close third over a mile here a week ago. He was outstayed by the two that finished in front of him that day and we would be more confident if this was over seven furlongs, but the opposition is so uninspiring that he has to go close. Desert Fury was awarded a race by the stewards at Wolverhampton in March after suffering interference close home, and has been absent since finishing third at Brighton in October. He has minor claims along with Blake Hall Lad who now has blinkers on for the first time. Leyaaly likes to lead, and her style of running will be helped by this drop back in trip, so she is another to consider, but the pin comes down on Semper Paratus
Blake Hall Lad (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Steadied start, keen, held up in rear, not trouble leaders, 8th of 9, 11l behind Corky (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) hvy in Nov.
Bobering 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, outpaced 6f out, some headway over 1f out but never dangerous, 6th of 11, 6l behind Mickmacmagoole (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Nov.
Desert Fury 8-1 (9-0) In touch, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Mad Maurice (9-0) at Brighton 1m 2f stk (7) gd in Oct.
It Must Be Speech 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 19l behind Tharua (8-7) at Southwell 2m stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Semper Paratus (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and led 2f out, headed near finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Night Warrior (8-12) at Southwell 1m Stks (36-40) (7) fbs.
King Eric 100-1 (9-0) Mid-division until weakened 2f out, 13th of 14, 24l behind Sweet Pickle (9-2) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Madame Guillotine 50-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 5l behind Joe Jo Star (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol.
Showtime Faye 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 14l behind Glasson Lodge (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo sll (G4) pol in Mar.
