slowly into stride, outpaced, never on terms
mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, hard ridden, edged left when leading close home
tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon ridden and headed close home
held up, headway to track leaders 2f out, ridden and soon edged left, no extra close home
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, every chance well inside final furlong, bumped and no extra
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden when headed 2f out and weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Straight Face could not be in better form and Gay Kelleway's 4-year-old looks a good bet to score again; his chief rivals look to be Optical Illusion and Welcome Releaf. The selection has recorded his last 3 wins at Kempton and if he can translate that form to this venue then he should take all the beating. He tends to do just enough in his races which has made it hard for the handicapper to get a grip on him, and with Jamie Spencer taking over in the saddle his claims are there for all to see. Optical Illusion shaped with plenty of promise here last time when he chased home Playtotheaudience and he should come on for the run as it was his first outing in 6 months. A change of scenery may have perked him up so he is well worth considering. Welcome Releaf won well last time but he has penalty for that success and it may just find him out tonight in this more competitive race. Derek Shaw's Alucica has been running well of late, she has a fair draw and she can go well at a price. However, Straight Face is in great form and we see no reason to desert him.
Shaftesbury Avenue (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Dwelt, soon ridden along, headway to chase leaders 2f out, soon edged right, one pace, 12th of 14, 14l behind Haroldini (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
A Big Sky Brewing (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 20, 18l behind Nok Twice (8-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Mar.
Alucica 8-1 (8-9) In touch, effort well over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, stayed on one pace, 4th of 11, 3l behind Having A Ball (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol.
Optical Illusion (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, hung left from well over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Playtotheaudience (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Greenwood 8-1 (8-11) Stumbled start, towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Duke Of Milan (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Straight Face (IRE) 15-8fav (8-12) Made all, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 7f app hcp (6) pol beating Balerno (8-5) by a shd, 8 ran.
Vanatina (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Went right start, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Distant Sun (9-7) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Hi Spec (IRE) 14-1 (8-3) Prominent, raced keenly, lost place 5f out, progress when not clear run briefly over 2f out, no extra, 4th of 12, 3l behind Shunkawakhan (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Moon Forest (IRE) 11-2 (8-3) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 13l behind Trinculo (8-7) at Chepstow 7f hcap (6) gf in Sept.
Amongst Amigos (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Kildare Sun (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov '06.
Welcome Releaf 9-2 (8-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left under pressure, soon clear, readily, won at Southwell 6f mdn aut stk (5) fbs beating Walragnek (9-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Fervent 50-1 (8-7) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 12, 8l behind Marmooq (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) std.
