in touch, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on
always in rear
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, hampered on bend after start, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace
made all, clear after 3f, ridden and quickened 2f out, kept on
always in rear
mid-division, headway 3f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on to chase winner and edged left inside final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Noble Minstrel gets the confident vote in the finale with Saltrio and Dan's Heir rating the main dangers. The selection won with a little in hand last time out when beating Jaderon, he still looks ahead of the handicaper and under similar conditions here he will be hard to beat. Saltrio rates the main danger as he also won well last time when beating Zalkani, the drop in trip will not be a problem but he will do well to give a weight and a beating to a less exposed rival and is taken on with this in mind. Dan's Heir would have a chance on his best form but consistency is not his strong point and he is taken on with this in mind. River City is another with place claims but may be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Of the remainder, Sarwin looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Noble Minstrel.
Saltrio 9-4 (11-2) Held up, steady headway over 6f out, led 4f out, stayed on well, won at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Zalkani (10-13) by 1l, 11 ran.
Spence Appeal (IRE) 9-4 (8-11) Keen, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, led 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Eminence Gift (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gd in Aug '05.
River City (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 6th of 7, 40l behind Mersey Sound (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Makfly 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 17l behind Prince Tum Tum (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Rehearsed (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Dan's Heir 14-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden 4f out, kept on final 2f, no impression, 6th of 12, 11l behind Esprit de Corps (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Sarwin (USA) 10-1 (9-2) In touch, headway over 1f out, no chance with winner when went 2nd inside final furlong and lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Eccollo (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Noble Minstrel 3-1fav (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Nov beating Jadeeron (8-11) by 2l, 12 ran.