mid-division, ridden, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
started slowly, led after 1f, headed 4f out, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
never better than mid-division
led, headed after 1f, regained lead 4f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden when weakening over 1f out
in touch, driven along over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead briefly inside final furlong, headed, no extra close home
jinked right soon unseated rider after start
held up, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, driven along halfway, soon behind
towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
The final race on the card can go to Local Poet who can make fitness count over Rafferty and Dancing Lyra. Local Poet has been profitable to follow on the all-weather of late, having won two of his last three starts, here and at Wolverhampton. Seven furlongs is his trip, and he starts the Turf campaign on a reasonable mark, so as long as he handles the soft ground today, should make his fitness tell. Rafferty is well-exposed but is another that has been running fairly well on the Fibresand here and he too has the edge on quite a few of the others from a fitness point of view. He may reach the frame at least, while Dancing Lyra does not look too badly handicapped, and his sole Turf success came on soft ground two years ago. Dandy Nicholls has no less than six runners, so it is impossible to know which one is preferred by the trainer. The market may well provide a clue, but in what is a head-scratcher, we return to Local Poet who is at least fit and in form.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Never troubled leaders, 7th of 10, 10l behind Wessex (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Feb.
Night Prayers (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no extra, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 18l behind Footstepsinthesand (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct '04.
Baylaw Star 14-1 (9-2) Led over 6f, 10th of 12, 9l behind Steely Dan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Betsen (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Never a factor, last of 17, 8l behind Baggio (8-2) at Curragh 5f hcp gd in Sept.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) In touch stand's side, led halfway, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 20, 7l behind Wigwam Willie (8-8) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Serieux 20-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Quantum Leap (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 11-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, weakened final 2f, 12th of 13, 24l behind Blonde Streak (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Rafferty (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Speed Dial Harry (7-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Feb.
Lucayan Dancer 6-1 (10-1) Always behind, 10th of 19, 9l behind Idealistic (10-1) at Bath 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) frm in Aug.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 19, 7l behind Game Lad (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Dancing Lyra 10-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Miss Provvidence (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Local Poet 11-4fav (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f handicap (5) pol beating General Feeling (9-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Blue Knight (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) In touch, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Mystic Man (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Digital 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 18, 6l behind High Bray (9-7) at Salisbury 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.