tracked leader, led approaching final furlong, headed and unable to quicken final 75 yards
held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders on nearside rail, hard ridden 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong
hampered after 1f, always behind
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly away, always in rear
behind, not much room 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on under pressure final furlong
led against near side rail, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, unable to quicken
slowly away, in rear when slightly hampered after 1f, ran on inside final furlong, no danger
in touch on wide outside, driven 2f out, hung right and ran on under pressure inside final furlong
always in rear, driven and beaten 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong (lost action)
chased leaders on outside over 3f
The factors used here are draw, going, fitness, ability on Turf and competitivity - is that a word? - so the short list contains Devine Dancer, who gets the vote, Smokin Beau, Desert Master and Our Fugitive. Smokin Beau is fairly weighted if anywhere near his best. Devine Dancer was beaten a whisker from a pound lower mark on his final start last season. The lightly-raced Desert Master showed up well on his handicap debut last time. Makabul could be fancied based on his course and distance run of last June and first-time blinkers are applied. A return to his 2005 form would give Calypso King an excellent chance. Our Fugitive's best form of last summer would give him a very good chance. Cornus is fit but will need to build on his best Turf efforts, while the fairly lightly-raced Nusoor could improve on Turf this time around. Finally, Mr Rooney would need to recapture his 2005 in order to play a part. Now, where were we, oh yes, those factors. They don't make it a whole lot easier but Devine Dancer might go well and is the selection.
Fromsong (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and weakened from 2f out, last of 12, 16l behind Woodnook (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Figaro Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Close up, ridden and slightly outpaced approaching 2f out, switched right over 1f out, effort to press winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Egyptian Lord (8-6) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Smokin Beau 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 5l behind Magic Glade (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Efistorm 12-1 (8-11) Chased leader, ridden and carried left from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Egyptian Lord (8-6) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Devine Dancer 11-2 (9-3) Prominent, chased winner inside final 2f, strong challenge final furlong, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Safari Mischief (8-11) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Desert Master 10-3 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Fizzlephut (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Makabul 11-1 (8-5) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders, going well over 2f out, ridden and found nil over 1f out, 5th of 7, 5l behind Raza Cab (8-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Calypso King 5-1jt-fav (9-1) Held up in rear, driven over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 12, 5l behind Woodnook (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcap (5) pol in Oct.
Our Fugitive (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 20, 7l behind Kay Two (9-4) at York 5f hcap (5) sft in Oct.
Cornus 16-1 (9-1) Behind, outpaced when hampered well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Fizzlephut (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Nusoor (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Went right start, chased winner 4f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Almaty Express (8-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Mr Rooney (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders stands side, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 23l behind Al Qasi (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Silver Prelude 16-1 (9-3) Bumped start, in touch, outpaced halfway, no chance after, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Bahamian Ballet (9-6) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
