slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway and switched left to far rail well over 1f out, driven and kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, stayed on, always just held
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, effort and driven over 1f out,soon one pace and no impression
chased leaders, not much room briefly on far rail 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, some headway well over 2f out, soon struggling
led, ridden and wandered over 2f out, headed 2f out, stayed pressing leaders until no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, driven out
chased leader, led narrowly 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner until inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
started slowly, towards rear, some headway into mid-division 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, driven over 1f, found little under pressure
Aurorian comes here in great nick but the hat-trick seeker faces a stiffer test today and so we will pass him over and instead plump for FOXHAVEN ahead of Shimoni, Featherweight and King's Song. Pat Charmings' gelding has not stood much racing over the last two years but he shaped with plenty of promise at Newbury last month on his comeback. He has won with and without the visor so the lack of headgear today isn't a worry and on ground that suits he should run well in a bid for another course and distance win. Shimoni also has the form in the book having won here on her final start last year, King's Song and Aurorian are closely linked on their run here last time and under the revised terms the former may turn the tables, whilst Strathcal and El Diego both represent trainers who have started the season well. Hollow Green is a course and distance winner who still looks a little high in the handicap, so a bigger threat could be Norman The Great who is fairly treated at present but was pulled up when seen at Cheltenham over the winter. Grey Granite is unexposed and won with authority at Haydock a year ago, Pass The Port ran well on his reappearance at Wolverhampton but may need further these days, whilst Featherweight represents a yard in good form and the market should help guide to her fitness on her first run of the year. An open handicap full of familiar faces and the nod is given to the old-timer Foxhaven.
Aurorian (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Settled in rear, smooth headway from 3f out, went 2nd 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr beating King's Song (8-12) by nk, 14 ran.
Shimoni 4-1 (9-4) Soon tracking leaders, closed up over 3f out, hung left over 2f out, driven to lead inside final 2f, stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May '09 beating King Supreme (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Foxhaven 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and edged left from 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Forte Dei Marmi (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Featherweight (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) In rear, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Teeky (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Pass The Port 10-1 (9-8) Held up 6th, headway 2f out, chased winner and effort over 1f out, pressed leader and every chance entering final furlong, always held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Salute (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar '09.
Grey Granite (IRE) Evensfav (8-13) Made all, shaken up 2f out, quickened and ran on final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 2f mdn stks (5) sft in May '09 beating Cry Alot Boy (10-0) by 7l, 12 ran.
Norman The Great 20-1 (9-7) Raced wide in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 7l behind Brief Look (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Hollow Green (IRE) 6-1 (8-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Bugaku (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Strathcal 15-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Ebony Eyes (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
El Diego (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling 3f out, well beaten when hung left over 1f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Rowan Tiger (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
King's Song (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Held up in touch, quick move to lead well over 2f out, soon hung right, ridden over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Aurorian (9-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
