held up behind, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out
held up, outpaced from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, staying on in 3rd when fell last
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, one pace in 4th, badly hampered and unseated rider last
made all, pressed from 2 out, hard ridden flat, just held on
held up in touch and keen, one pace when left 3rd last
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance from last, held near finish
Nonrunner
A trappy opener where the market offers most clues and in the absence of it, ALWAYS BOLD is the selection with Sacrilege and Santo Stefano others for consideration. The former Mark Johnston inmate put up a respectable first run for new connections and there's every reason to believe that he will come on for that effort as it had followed a sizeable layoff. Sacrilege is officially rated 116 so he will be the benchmark that the assessor uses. A winner over a mile for David Elsworth, he has put in two fair efforts at this course in the past and he is tried in first time cheekpieces. Santo Stefano is well bred but has proved a tad disappointing, That said, his third to Bolodenka at Newcastle has worked out well. Sadler's Star is sure to have his followers given Alan King's recent form. He is unproven on going any better than soft so the market is watched. Frankie Anson carries very famous silks and was bred for middle distances on the flat. Salute The General was a fair miler on the flat for Willie Muir. The Kealshore Kid failed to build on the promise of a placing in a bumper at the course while Costa Curta has taken on better company than this in the past. Always Bold is still open to some measure of improvement and for this reason, he secures our nomination.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Held up, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 14l behind Laurel Creek (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Frankie Anson (IRE) Needle Gun gelding out of Macha's Pet.
Mysterious World (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 15, 35l behind Thunderclap (10-2) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Prince Samos (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 10th of 18, well behind Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Roganstown (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 15, 14l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sadler's Star (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, steady headway after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Salute The General 22-1 (10-2) Mid-division, lost place 3f out, soon behind, 13th of 15, 18l behind Suits Me (9-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (4) gd in Oct '07 (Flat).
Santo Stefano (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Karabak (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Spume (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 7, well behind Aachen (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
The Kealshore Kid (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 9, 24l behind Lake Legend (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gf in Feb.
Always Bold (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Always prominent, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Higgy's Boy (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Gofannon (GER) 18-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out, 8th of 9, 32l behind Higgy's Boy (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Mardood 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Elk Trail (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sacrilege 15-2 (11-5) Behind, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 6l behind Loco Grande (10-4) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Costa Courta (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden after 2 out, went moderate 4th before last, 4th of 15, 22l behind Rear Gunner (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Layed Back Rocky 200-1 (11-1) In rear, in mid-division when blundered and pulled up 3 out in race won by Sparkling Montjeu (10-0) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gd, 16 ran.
Mr Bond (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 5th and held when fell 3 out in race won by Singing Wizard (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 9 ran.
Regional Counsel 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Binocular (11-5) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb '08, 11 ran.
