mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
pressed leader 3f, weakened over 1f out
led until ridden and headed over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd near finish
held up, pulled hard, not clear run well over 1f out, always in rear
slowly into stride, in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
always prominent, went 2nd 3f out, led over 1f out, edged left, ridden out
held up towards rear, shaken up well over 1f out, never dangerous
towards rear, effort on outside over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish
chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong
LAYLA'S PRINCE is the tentative selection ahead of Sir Frank Wappat and Zinjbar. David Nicholls' charge has had two starts as a juvenile before stumps were drawn on that campaign. Given that the owner has decided to keep faith rather than go to the sales, one presumes that he has shown something noteworthy on the gallops. Sir Frank Wappat has to be respected as should any maiden from the Mark Johnston team. He was a well backed favourite at Nottingham but disappointed greatly as he appeared to hang quite badly. Zinjbar brings Newmarket form to the table. She had plenty of chances last year and should rate as the yardstick for the assessor. Born A Dancer was outclassed in a sales race last time out and should enjoy this drop back in grade. Lucas Pitt's finishing position on debut was all the more remarkable given that he lost many lengths at the start. Golden Ratio's first appearance at the racecourse was one that suggested that it would not be lost upon her this time around. Layla's Prince is not without a few issues in relation to the formbook but in a race where the market will tell us plenty, he gets the vote without reference to it.
Boxer Shorts 80-1 (9-12) Chased leader until weakened well over 2f out, 6th of 8, 15l behind Midfielder (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Marron Flore 14-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden approaching 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 16l behind Pawn In Life (9-0) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Feb '07.
Sally's Swansong 66-1 (8-9) With leaders, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Monte Major (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f sell stks (6) pol.
Greenore Gordon 16-1 (9-3) With leader, every chance over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 13th of 15, 21l behind Dark Eyes (8-12) at Bath 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Jul.
Lucas Pitt 40-1 (8-12) Slowly away and lost all of 6 lengths, headway to join field over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Shearman (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Sir Frank Wappat 11-8fav (9-3) Carried head awkwardly and hung left throughout, prominent, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Skyflight (8-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep.
Aim'ees Star Trade Fair filly out of Star Cast.
Born A Dancer (IRE) 150-1 (7-12) Raced far side and always in rear, 22nd of 27, 20l behind Shamandar (8-5) at Ascot 6f 2yo flls auc (2) gd in Sep.
Cheshire Lady (IRE) 100-1 (8-7) Slowly away, in rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 31l behind Areeda (8-7) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Golden Ratio (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Held up, in rear, driven and headway well over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on strongly, never nearer, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Slikback Jack (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Feb.
Zinjbar (USA) 14-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, edged left, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Audacity Of Hope (9-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sep.
Layla's Prince (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Outpaced after 2f, never nearer, 9th of 10, 19l behind Walvis Bay (9-3) at York 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
