held up mid-division, headway from 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, not pace of winner
always behind
mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
prominent, blundered 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
tailed off on 5th
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and chanced 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, hampered 7th, some headway next, soon ridden, no further impression
led, ridden and headed when fell 7th
held up towards rear, steady headway from 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, headway when badly hampered 7th, chased leaders 2 out, led last, ran on well, ridden out
tracked leaders, hit 5th, led 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, not pace of winner
mid-division, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders until 6th, soon tailed off
A competitive contest rounds off the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Mickmacmagoole, Sovietica and Earth Man and the narrow vote is given to Sovietica. The selection won well last time out when beating Brousse En Feux; granted she has a penalty for that win but she looks sure to improve for the longer trip and looks the one to be on. Mickmacmagoole rates the main danger on his latest second behind Rapscallion but this is his third quick run and he bareley sees out this trip and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Earth Man is another that could go well on his best form but he has tended to need his first run of the season and he looks opposable on that basis. Meet The Legend won well last time when beating Captain Becket but this looks more competitive and the drop in trip is also a concern. Of the remainder Roby De Cimbre looks vulnerable under top weight, while Critical Stage won a claimer last time but will need to improve to win off this mark back in a handicap. With this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive Sovietica.
Roby De Cimbre (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 13, 6l behind Kempley Green (11-10) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Earth Man (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Held up behind, mistake 4th, good headway 3 out, disputing 4th next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind Predator (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Critical Stage (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Towards rear, steady headway 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, soon clear, won at N Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gd in Aug beating Shaman (10-3) by 9l, 11 ran.
Sovietica (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Led, hit 2 out, headed before last, led again after last, kept on gamely, won at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft beating Brousse En Feux (10-5) by 3l, 7 ran.
Grave Doubts 13-2 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 3 out, led and hit 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, won at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gd beating Perfect Storm (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Silverhay 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, mistake on outside and weakened next, 8th of 21, 16l behind Newton Bridge (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Welsh Main 9-1 (11-11) In touch, lost place before 16th, soon no impression, 6th of 16, 10l behind Ca Na Trona (11-4) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Ready Response (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Newton Bridge (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd, 21 ran.
Nayodabayo (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always in rear, 12th of 16, 41l behind Supreme Huntress (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 18, 9l behind Rapscallion (11-5) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs.
Meet The Legend (IRE) Evensfav (10-13) Held up, headway 5th, led next, clear when not fluent 2 out, saddle slipped and rider lost irons, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf beating Captain Becket (10-11) by 5l, 7 ran.
Bay Hawk 3-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Island Light (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct '06, 9 ran.
Wun Chai (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, weakening when blundered 4 out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Honan (11-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jun '05.
