mid-division, mistake 2nd, blundered 5th, soon dropped to last, stayed on approaching last, went modest 3rd near finish
towards rear, left modest 5th 2 out, left modest 4th last, weakened into 5th flat
raced keenly, led, pushed 3 lengths clear 2 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner when hit last
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, modest 5th when fell 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd and mistake 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, struggling and no chance when hampered 2 out
mid-division, hit 5th, lost place and struggling next
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, left modest 3rd last, no impression when weakened into 4th near finish
towards rear, headway before 2 out, 3rd and held when went lame and pulled up before last
chased leader, hit 5th, driven along after 3 out, 3 lengths 2nd and under strong pressure 2 out, led between last 2, in command soon after, driven out
Nonrunner
A poor race where RUBY CROWN gets the marginal vote, while Le Toto can give her most to do. The selection acts well on decent ground and this two mile trip is her optimum. She is still 6lbs higher than her best win, suggesting that she is not lump-on material, especially as she was accounted for from this mark last time, but she may be able to cope better on this surface and she is selected. Le Toto was not far away on decent ground at Worcester in September, and he was then given a break after being thrashed from today's mark next time. We have to take his fitness on trust, but Oliver Sherwood's runners have been going well, so he may be able to go close. Tom Scudamore is an interesting booking for Boomtown, who sees out 10f well on the level, where he was rated around the 80 mark a couple of years ago. Early efforts over hurdles weren't sparkling, but if fit after a lengthy absence he should be taken seriously. Gobejolly is probably capable of better than we have seen, while Compton Star has at least won over course and distance, though recent efforts suggest that this won't be a repeat. Ruby Crown gets the vote.
Ruby Crown 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 3rd, soon lost place, rallied 2 out, every chance when hit last, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Bosamcliff (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Le Toto 8-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, led 2nd, hit 5th, mistake next, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Zabeel Palace (11-11) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Petito (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased winner until ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 13, well behind Crannaghmore Boy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Zizou (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Not fluent, took keen hold and always behind, 8th of 12, 34l behind Captain Becket (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep '08.
Boomtown 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 11, 17l behind Starluck (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '08.
Mr Deal 3-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind Prince Pippin (10-5) at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Thoroughly Red (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, held up and always in rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Mix N Match (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Compton Star 22-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, driven and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 8, 20l behind Holmwood Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Gobejolly 17-2 (10-1) Behind, blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Star Galaxy (10-5) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Hiddensee (USA) 6-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Manjam (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Classical Rhythm (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, bad mistake 3 out, soon weakened, blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Calzaghe (11-8) at Kempton 2m cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
