soon well behind
held up, effort over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, pushed along 10f out, ridden over 5f out, headway when not clear over 3f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
behind, headway over 4f out, not clear run over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 7f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led 2f, with leader, ridden over 6f out, weakened 3f out
towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
started slowly, behind, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, edged left and headed breifly over 1f out, headed towards finish
prominent to over 5f out
A competitive race in which the vote goes to Salute ahead of Numero Due and Kayf Aramis. Quite simply, Salute now races from a winning mark, so has to be respected in a tricky contest. Numero Due battled to victory at Chester last time but needs to pull out a little more today. Most Definitely is certainly on a good mark based on his best 2005 form, while it is interesting that connections are trying Gandalf at two miles again following a seemingly inconclusive try at the trip last time. Boxhall hails from a stable in form and might improve for the underfoot conditions. Kayf Aramis is no forlorn hope with his light weight, and Mr Ed is probably warming up for a tilt at The Cesarewitch, a race in which he was second in 2004. Dancer's Serenade comes here in good heart after dropping a long way in the weights since last season, and Maystock is not far above a course winning mark. You can also build cases for The Grey Man and Power Of Future so, all in all, it is a tricky affair with a tentative vote going to Salute.
Numero Due 3-1fav (10-1) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, all out, won at Chester 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Establishment (9-11) by a hd, 8 ran.
Gandalf 4-1 (9-8) Held up, headway 7f out, ridden and headway over 3f out, hung left then right over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Som Tala (8-8) at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
High Point (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on gamely when pressed inside final furlong, held on, all out, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug beating Dark Parade (8-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Mirjan (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug.
Maystock 7-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 14l behind Fair Along (9-9) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
The Grey Man 4-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Primondo (9-10) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Kayf Aramis 7-2jt-fav (11-8) Chased winner throughout, ridden over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Kanpai (10-7) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Tranquilizer 11-2 (9-0) Held up, stayed on from over 3f out, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 12, 9l behind Establishment (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcap (4) pol in Apr.
