mid-division, headway after 3f, chased leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and every chance from over 2f out, stayed on gamely final furlong
held up mid-division , headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
always behind
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, eased over 2f out
tracked leaders, hard ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, all out
behind, soon outpaced, eased over 3f out
soon led, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
behind, ridden over 4f out, soon no impression
Had SILKEN PROMISE raced over this trip last time she'd probably have won, so despite a slight rise in the weights she's selected from Greenbelt and Inside Story. Walter Swinburn's filly remains a maiden but she's only had 10 tries, the last of which resulting in a head second over 1m4f here. The four-year-old cut out the running that day and, in the hope similar tactics are employed, we fancy this furlong shorter trip will see her get off the mark. Greenbelt scored last time under a strong ride and can go well off 4lbs higher. The drop in trip has to be seen as a negative but Gary Moore's gelding had looked well treated prior to that victory and may go on from it, particularly if they go hard up front. On that running the nine-year-old looks to have the beating off Russian Invader despite a slight turnaround in the weights, so perhaps Inside Story can emerge best of the rest. A winner at this trip, the exposed sort is weighted to beat Black Falcon this time around, the last-named having to shoulder a 6lb penalty for a narrow success over his old rival. Coral Shores has the assistance of Chris Catlin in the plate but faces no easy task off top weight, so of those at slightly bigger prices Royal Bet rates the most interesting in the hope that today's switch to Fibresand paves the way for some improvement. Highland River disappointed last time but his penultimate second reads well, however this trip undoubtedly stretches his stamina, National Monument is slipping down the weights and may find a race but the most interesting outsider is Lady Longcroft who won her maiden here and will derive benefit from returning to the surface. This is a competitive handicap and one that might go to Silken Promise.
Coral Shores 16-1 (8-13) Led, looked to be in lead 5f out, behind over 2f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Formidable Guest (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Silken Promise (USA) 13-2 (8-9) Made most, quickened clear 3f out to over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Dream In Blue (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Inside Story (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway 4f out, led on bit over 2f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Black Falcon (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs.
Russian Invader (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on but never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Greenbelt (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Greenbelt 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, stayed on gamely under pressure, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Tyrana (9-8) by hd, 10 ran.
Mandalay Prince 10-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 16l behind Tavalu (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcap (5) pol in Jun '08.
National Monument (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, switched right and headway over 1f out, kept on well, never nearer, 6th of 11, 3l behind Shake On It (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Black Falcon (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders on outside, led well over 3f out, hung left to far rail and narrowly headed over 2f out, rallied under strong pressure to lead again final 100 yards, won at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs beating Inside Story (9-3) by nk, 10 ran.
Highland River 20-1 (8-13) Led until well over 3f out, chased winner until over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 6l behind Mekong Miss (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
King Fernando 100-1 (9-2) Behind, soon outpaced and detached, eased 3f out, last of 10, well behind Greenbelt (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Royal Bet (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 4l behind Giant Sequoia (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Sep.
April The Second 40-1 (8-10) In rear, ridden and some headway 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 14, 45l behind Sunny Spells (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Lady Longcroft 33-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, pushed along over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, last of 12, 13l behind Grey Command (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Flaming Blaze 100-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, behind and outpaced, 6th of 10, 15l behind Arizona John (9-2) at Redcar 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (5) fm in Jul.
