held up mid-division, headway to led over 1f out, soon hung left, driven out final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
headway 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed 4f out, soon under pressure and weakened quickly
started slowly, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, no impression 2f out, one pace
started slowly, in rear, progress and effort 2f out, kept on same pace over 1f out
led 1f, tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out
chased leaders, effort 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, not quickened and weakened inside final 2f
progress 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish but not a danger
held up mid-division, ridden and lost touch halfway, soon tailed off and pulled up over 2f out, dismounted
This is tricky with Full Victory selected ahead of Christmas Truce and Sol Rojo. Full Victory's connections have been forced, really, to run him again before reassessment takes place after his easy Chepstow win, and he has to fully respected today, although he has never yet raced on going without ease on it. Jools is well-weighted based on his course and distance win of last June although more recent efforts have not been encouraging. At today's trip, Oakley Absolute might be worth opposing although he has better recent form than a lot of his opponents, Orpen Wide is fairly weighted now based on autumn form, as are course and distance winner Border Edge and Balearic Star based on summer form of 2005 and 2004, respectively. Final Promise is also on a winning mark from last summer, although recent efforts have been modest, Rawaabet and Admiral Compton lack winning form, but Christmas Truce comes here as a recently-improved performer who might get amongst the money. Billy One Punch lacks form, although Robert Winston has been booked to ride, and Sol Rojo is well worth running again under a penalty following his Yarmouth success, and Lockstock and Barton Sands are others to be well-weighted based on 2005 form. It all adds up to a very tricky race in which the tentative vote goes to Full Victory.
Full Victory (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) In touch, led on bit over 2f out, hung left 1f out, ran on well, won at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May beating Foolish Groom (8-6) by 5l, 15 ran.
Jools 8-1 (8-13) Keen hold in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 16l behind Takes Tutu (8-10) at Brighton 1m hcap (5) frm in Apr.
Oakley Absolute 20-1 (9-2) Behind most of way, last of 15, 36l behind Prime Powered (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon recovered, headway and hard ridden 2f out, hanging left and switched right 1f out, ran on to take 2nd final 50 yards, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Asaateel (9-1) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Lockstock (IRE) 9-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 15, 9l behind Full Victory (8-12) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Sol Rojo 12-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May beating Tuning Fork (8-8) by 2l, 16 ran.
Barton Sands (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 15, 11l behind Dinner Date (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 18, 9l behind Commitment Lecture (9-11) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
