held up, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
set moderate pace, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, no headway, switched right over 1f out
mid-division, not much room 3f out and lost place, no danger after
chased leader until over 5f out, remained prominent, chased winner over 2f out until inside final furlong, one pace
mid-division, headway 7f out, weakening when edged left just over 1f out
always prominent, 2nd over 5f out, led 3f out, clear 2f out, stayed on
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, not clear run briefly soon after, stayed on from over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner
slowly away, dropped in last, took keen hold, headway on outside well over 1f out, hung left final furlong, never nearer
Ardmaddy, Liberty Seeker and Gifted Heir look the three to concentrate on here and the vote goes to Ardmaddy. The selection returns to the level after a couple of spins over hurdles and he did run well when last seen out at this venue. He is not a confident choice as this is a wide open race, but he does rate as the one to beat. Liberty Seeker has got some decent form on the turf and he ran a fair race over the chase fences last time. He has yet to prove himself on this surface but he still rates as a contender in this poor contest. Gifted Heir found trouble on the home turn here last time when chasing home Machinate, so he could be deemed a little unlucky. He has a good draw today and looks a solid each-way bet. Still Dreaming is a course and distance winner and he does have the very capable Ross Atkinson doing the steering so he is another worth considering. However, Ardmaddy could be the answer to a tricky contest and he gets the vote.
Three Thieves (UAE) 25-1 (8-6) Held up, short lived effort under pressure over 2f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Casual Affair (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 11-8fav (8-9) Held up in touch, outpaced over 5f out, ridden and some headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Kames Park (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun '06.
Dream Forest (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind Global Strategy (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan '07.
Ilviz (FR) 2-1fav (9-2) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 8l behind Winter Cruise (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Gifted Heir (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Always prominent, not clear run 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Machinate (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Saint Eric (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Stumbled leaving stalls and unseated rider in race won by Mandalay Prince (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan, 8 ran.
Ardmaddy (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Hatton Flight (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Still Dreaming 8-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Arthurs Dream (8-4) by 4l, 8 ran.
Sky Chart (IRE) 10-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, led 8f out, ridden 2f out, weakening when headed approaching final furlong, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Mandalay Prince (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
