towards rear, never any impression on leaders until kept on final furlong, never nearer
in touch, ridden and lost place 3f out, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
always behind, never near leaders
towards rear, headway 3f out, no impression final 2f
steadied start, switched left and held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, nearest finish
led 1f, tracked leader, led over 4f out to over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
raced wide, held up, ridden 3f out, no headway, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard, close up, ridden and weakened quickly over 3f out
Alasil could be the answer to this puzzle with Sopran Gath and Thorny Mandate likely to pose plenty of problems. Alasil is a tricky customer to catch right as he invariably needs everything to fall correctly for him. That said, he is off a fairly low racing weight this afternoon and his recent run behind Moyoko was arguably his best for some time. Sopran Gath is a longstanding maiden. He has hit the crossbar at Lingfield on a couple of occasions and his prominence in the market exposes just how moderate this race is. Thorny Mandate hails from a yard that are sending out winners. Present connections seem to have him down as a stayer rather than the seven furlong sprinter he had previously been tried as. Royal Melbourne shocked plenty with a recent victory over course and distance. The handicapper duly reacted. Zalkani is perfectly exposed and wins in his turn. Sir Haydn hasn't won for well in excess of a year but as an inmate from a shrewd yard, the market is watched closely. A moderate handicap and Alasil is selected.
Cortesia (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 9l behind Magic Show (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gd in Sept.
Thorny Mandate 16-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, not much room briefly after 1f, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 12l behind Boz (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Stagecoach Emerald 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, never a factor, 9th of 13, 18l behind Adage (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Jul.
Zabeel House 12-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and carried right on bend over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 8, 4l behind Hits Only Cash (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Zalkani (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven and stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not quite able to challenge, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Spritza (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Sir Haydn 7-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 6l behind Spritza (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Gamesters Lady 50-1 (9-4) Pushed along in touch, lost place over 4f out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Dream of Paradise (8-1) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug '06.
Sopran Gath (ITY) 11-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 4f out to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, unable to quicken, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Chunky's Choice (9-3) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
Royal Melbourne (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Boz (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Dark Planet 25-1 (8-8) Made most to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sunset Boulevard (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Blue Hedges 7-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 15, 10l behind Regal Sunset (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Alasil (USA) 16-1 (8-13) In rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Moyoko (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Sept.
