chased leader, led over 9f out, headed over 8f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
in touch, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, led over 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace
close up, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
behind, pushed along and outpaced halfway, weakened and eased over 2f out
held up, headway on inner over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well
towards rear, soon pushed along and outpaced, reminders over 6f out, kept on over 1f out, no impression
held up mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, eased over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous
led, headed over 9f out, quickly lost place and tailed off over 6f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon headway on outer, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed over 6f out, weakened well over 3f out
Nonrunner
IRISH BALLAD has been running consistently recently, and despite winning his last two contests, he has only been raised a couple of pounds for a recent game win and can come out on top and complete the hat-trick. Those recent wins came over a slightly shorter trip, but he has run well at this distance and his last win came at this track. He looks a very tough rival and his tenacity may well be required once again here. Restart has only one win to his credit, and that was four years ago on turf. However, he has come crashing down the handicap, and he was staying on when hampered close home when fourth last time. He can play a part. Dual purpose performer Nounou came close to springing a surprise last time when a staying on runner up, and the handicapper has reacted to that effort by raising him four pounds. That seems a little harsh as he has not won on the Flat for three yearsand he is taken on. Irish Ballad looks sure to run his race and can win again.
Blue Hills 7-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led 4f, stayed prominent, ridden and weakened from 2f out, 7th of 12, 16l behind Snowberry Hill (10-6) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol.
Foreign King (USA) 25-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 13, 13l behind L'Homme de Nuit (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Rare Coincidence 10-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 5l behind Elaala (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Irish Ballad 4-1jt-fav (9-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, kept on well under pressure to lead close home, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov beating Top Tiger (9-11) by a hd, 12 ran.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Mid-division, lost place over 5f out, kept on again towards finish, 6th of 13, 16l behind L'Homme de Nuit (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Zuwaar 3-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 33l behind L'Homme de Nuit (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Restart (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Close up, ridden and outpaced from 3f out, kept on again final furlong, never trouble leaders, 4th of 14, 7l behind Wyeth (11-2) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol.
Tapaellya (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 10, 13l behind Elaala (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Silvaani (USA) 33-1 (10-3) Held up in last pair, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Montosari (11-2) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Nov '06.
The Bodhran Beat (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Chased leaders early, weakened halfway, 13th of 14, 14l behind Full Title (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 0-60 pol in Nov.
Daraiym (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Reminders soon after start and prominent, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 9, 11l behind Ours (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Ericarrow (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 4f out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 9l behind Wind Flow (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Nounou 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, went second inside final furlong, ran on well, not quite reached winner, 2nd of 13, nk behind Lady Pilot (10-0) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
