walked to post, half reared stalls, slowly into stride, raced wide, always behind
led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, lost place over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
not much room start, mid-division, not clear run well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, mostly towards rear
went right start, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, beaten when rider dropped whip just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, some headway over 1f out, no further progress
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, kept on
prominent, ridden when hung right well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced keenly, with leader, led over 2f out, hung left final furlong, headed towards finish
held up, always in rear
held up, not clear run well over 1f out, soon switched left, good progress final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
mid-division, ridden when rider lost iron well over 1f out, eased final furlong
Imperial Sword is the call in a tricky opener, Ensign's Trick and Greenwood are others that could feature. The selection hasn't won for a couple of years but he retains enough ability to win a race of this nature and is closely matched with Polar Force on their running at Yarmouth last month. Ground conditions come alike to him and his high draw could turn out to be an advantage if the forecast rain arrives as the runners often switch to the standside when the ground rides soft. Ensign's Trick hails from a yard that is no stranger to success at this Midlands venue. She's entitled to come on for her reappearance and has a useful apprentice in the saddle. Greenwood is another whose best days are behind him but, rather like the selection, he's still capable of winning in this company although any rain would hinder his chances. Kyllachy Storm has yet to race on ground with cut but is a half-brother to a soft ground winner and ran well in a seller last time; he could feature but we'll stick with Imperial Sword.
Ensign's Trick 50-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 4th of 15, 6l behind Moonstreaker (8-8) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Apr.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 6-4fav (9-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Royal Envoy (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Kennington 10-1 (8-11) Outpaced in mid-division, ridden halfway, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 7l behind Garlogs (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Briery Lane (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Trinculo (10-13) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Norcroft 14-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Balerno (8-10) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-50 (6) gf in Apr.
Polar Force 17-2 (8-9) Raced stands' side, close up, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-50 (6) gd in Apr beating Imperial Sword (8-8) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Greenwood 7-1 (8-12) Held up, headway to track leaders 2f out, ridden and soon edged left, no extra close home, 4th of 10, 4l behind A Big Sky Brewing (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Sherjawy (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Towards rear, head way halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 6l behind Black Moma (8-12) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Apr.
Kyllachy Storm 7-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Punching (9-12) at Brighton 6f sll (6) gd in Apr.
Cleveland 7-2fav (9-9) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, not clear run when hampered over 1f out, not recover, 6th of 12, 5l behind Punching (9-12) at Brighton 6f sll (6) gd in Apr.
Puskas (IRE) 18-1 (8-9) Outpaced in rear, never a factor, 7th of 11, 6l behind Triskaidekaphobia (8-6) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Indian Lady (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Went right start, soon led, ridden when edged left 2f out, weakening when headed 1f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Perlachy (9-6) at Kempton 6f stk (6) pol in Apr.
Imperial Sword 6-1 (8-11) Steadied start, keen and held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Balerno (8-10) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-50 (6) gf in Apr.
Lady Lorins 66-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, driven and struggling 3f out, 10th of 13, 14l behind Swop (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
Zayyir (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Led and keen, headed over 6f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 16, 28l behind Turkish Sultan (9-7) at Bath 1m stk (6) gs in Apr.
Strut The Stage (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 16, 8l behind Turkish Sultan (9-7) at Bath 1m stk (6) gs in Apr.
Boldinor 50-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened rapidly, last of 14, 16l behind Eccollo (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov '06.
