slowly into stride, led after 2f, ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, all out
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place after 3f
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon hung right, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, kept on
led 2f, remained prominent, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, effort over 1f out, soon one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
We know that Stevie Thunder is in form and handles the ground so he's selected but there are plenty in the field that wouldn't need to improve by too much to give him something to think about. To many eyes the Swinbank runner looked a slightly unfortunate loser over a mile at Redcar last time but it may be that he just doesn't see out that trip quite as well as seven furlongs. Either way, he looks well handicapped here as the first two were a long way clear of the remainder and it should be worth keeping the faith. Ninefineirishmen showed up well for a long way last time which bodes well for his chances on his handicap debut whilst Mark Johnston trained runners can never be left out of the equation. Dancing Marabout rates a mention as he seemingly showed much improved form on his final start of 2007 and he could go well if that was no fluke and resuming in the same form. A market check's advised as it may well help sort out some of the less exposed sorts in this field and those who are embarking on new campaigns but Stevie Thunder does hold an obvious and decent chance.
Ten Pole Tudor 25-1 (9-2) Leaving stalls when unseated rider in race won by Underworld (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar, 7 ran.
Indian Diva (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 13th of 18, 9l behind Generous Thought (9-2) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Nov.
Afram Blue 13-8 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Straight And Level (8-12) at Lingfield 1m nov stk (5) pol in Dec.
Shamrock Lady (IRE) 40-1 (7-12) Towards rear, ridden halfway, soon beaten, last of 7, 10l behind Paco Boy (8-8) at Newmarket 6f 2yo & 3yo stk (4) gd in Nov.
The Jostler 12-1 (8-9) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 15, 5l behind Mr Keppel (8-10) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Gross Prophet 16-1 (9-4) Led to over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 13l behind Fervent Prince (8-8) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Premier Danseur (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, held when hampered over 1f out, 7th of 10, 5l behind Fathsta (9-2) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Semah Harold 14-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 7l behind Ten Pole Tudor (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Ninefineirishmen (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Royalist (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Stevie Thunder 4-6fav (9-1) Led, headed after 1f, remained in touch, regained lead over 2f out, stayed on final furlong until headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Spirit of A Nation (9-4) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Dancing Marabout (IRE) 80-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on inside from 2f out, kept on final furlong, no danger, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Bronze Cannon (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) pol in Oct.
Clifton Dancer 66-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Huzzah (8-9) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Romany Princess (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) In rear, some headway 2f out, never nearer, 9th of 15, 10l behind Ibn Khaldun (9-4) at Ascot 7f 2yo hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Miss Mujanna 10-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Meydan Princess (8-12) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
