keen in touch, headway on outer approaching 2f out, ridden to chase winner when hung left from over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
slow into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen held up, headway on outer over 2f out, soon led, ridden out
went left start, tracked leader, led 3f out, headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen early in rear, behind 7f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Alexanderthegreat won over this trip at Lingfield on Monday. He carries a penalty but his yard is in peak form and cheekpieces are fitted in a bid to wrest further improvement. Airplane was only beaten a short-head last month when attempting to follow up an earlier win at nearby Ripon but has been raised a further 3lb. Aphaea returned from a lengthy absence to score over an extended mile at Wolverhampton but there is nothing in her pedigree to suggest she’ll appreciate this big step up in distance. Collateral form suggests PENTLAND HILLS (NAP) should have the measure of Airplane on these terms and he was only beaten half-a-length stepping up to this trip at Leicester. The champion takes over the reins from an apprentice and Chris Wall’s gelding should prove hard to beat today.
Pentland Hills (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Took keen hold, led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Surrey Blaze (9-4) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Aphaea 9-2jfav (10-4) Chased leaders, reminders from over 4f out, 4th and still plenty to do over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, led post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jul beating Haabis (10-6) by ns, 12 ran.
Mary Mapel 100-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, 7th of 10, 16l behind Move Swiftly (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f fll stks (5) pol in Jul.
Airplane (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Soon tracking leader, led over 3f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 10, shd behind Mr C (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Swordbill 33-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 20l behind Bodes Well (9-4) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Jenny Ren 14-1 (8-13) Held up behind, driven and headway on outer over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Onefootinfront (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Marconi 12-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, driven 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Grey Spirit (9-1) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Glacier (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 11th of 12, 27l behind Thundercloud (8-12) at Redcar 1m hcp (6) gf in May.
Rock On Bertie (IRE) 9-2 (8-2) Held up, headway on inner entering final furlong, stayed on under a hand ride to lead towards finish, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Jul beating Bollin Joan (8-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Alexanderthegreat (FR) 9-2 (8-9) Dwelt and slow in to stride, towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on strongly to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jul beating Twister (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
