raced keenly, in touch, headway 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
slowly into stride, soon detatched in rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to chase leading pair 1f out, no impression
driven to lead after 1f, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway under pressure 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced 2f out, lost place when not much room over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, always towards rear
prominent early, soon mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders over 1f out, never on terms
behind, driven over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
led 1f, tracked leaders, effort to challenge over 2f out, lost place 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon hard pressed, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division on inside, driven over 2f out, never able to challenge
Nonrunner
A very tricky race to call with only 9lbs seperating the 14 runners, and we will tentatively suggest SILVER GUEST to land the prize at the main expense of Academy Blues, Regeneration and Catalan Bay. The Mick Channon-trained pick returns to action on turf for the first time since September, and from a very competitive mark of 75. This trip is ideal for the Lujain gelding, who has got a good record when fresh, and acts on a sound surface. In an open heat we hope that today can be his day. Academy Blues will be popular with the Dandy Nicholls yard going well and after wins at both Redcar and Catterick already this month. It may be that he is on a roll and proves good enough again, but he has now gone up 12lbs and does not get the cut in the ground that he wants here so at the probable price he looks worth taking on. Catalan Bay is another from a yard in good shape and she stays further than this and goes on the ground. She is likely to get the strong pace that she wants and should not be far away. Regeneration races over his optimum distance but has not yet won on turf and needs to show more than at Doncaster last time, though this is an easier race. Toledo Gold's sole win came on good to firm going, but he showed his best form for a while when unfancied at Musselburgh last time and would be interesting if the money came this time. Violent Velocity has been out of sorts lately, but likes it here and if the ground got quicker, he would have claims, though preference is just for Silver Guest.
Academy Blues (USA) 5-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, kept on, won at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Hits Only Jude (7-13) by 2l, 10 ran.
Knavesmire (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Held up, weakened 3f out, 15th of 19, 14l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Regeneration (IRE) 3-1fav (8-9) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 19, 7l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind She's In The Money (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Silver Guest 11-4fav (9-4) Keen, in touch, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, driven to join winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Seek The Fair Land (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Violent Velocity (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Intouch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 19, 12l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Cara's Request (AUS) 7-2fav (9-6) Chased leader, challenged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 22l behind Lordship (8-1) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Glenridding 50-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 19th of 20, 33l behind Jordaura (8-11) at Doncaster 7f app hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Burns Night 16-1 (8-5) Chased leader to 4f out, stayed close up, driven along and outpaced over 2f out, no danger after, 7th of 15, 3l behind Decision (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Arabian Pearl (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Led 2f, prominent, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Dance And Dance (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Catalan Bay (AUS) 6-1 (8-6) Awkward start, slowly away and rider lost iron, detached until headway and rider got iron back 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 6, 20l behind Invincible Isle (8-5) at Pontefract 6f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf in Sep.
Captain Dancer (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 19, 9l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Rio Cobolo (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Mainly in rear, 10th of 13, 6l behind Great Charm (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Cheveyo (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Raced wide, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 9l behind Celtic Sovereign (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
