slowly into stride, headway on outside 5f out, weakening from over 1f out
led, headed over 2f out, weakening and edged right over 4f out
steadied start, held up, ridden and good headway on outside over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ran on
in touch, weakened 6f out
towards rear, headway over 4f out, carried right, ridden 2f out, one pace
towards rear, headway over 3f out, chasing winner and edging left under pressure over 1f out, no impression
in touch, ridden and not clear run over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
slowly into stride, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, carried right over 4f out, keeping on and switching right 1f out
tracked leader over 6f out, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, weakened
towards rear, some progress under pressure over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 6f out, weakened over 2f out, eased
Swords is taken to continue his fine run of form with Archimboldo and That Look sought as suitable alternatives. The selection seems to have enjoyed a new lease of life and although the handicapper now makes life a little more difficult off 57; he stays this trip well enough and Ashley Hamblett's 3lb claim will prove helpful. Archimboldo is better known as a moderate hurdler these days. He ran a respectable race behind Synonomy here in April and cannot be ruled out of running a big race at massive odds. That Look was punted into silly prices at Yarmouth on the back of an emphatic success at Doncaster. It would be folly to discount him today as he was quite some way clear of the remainder at the East Coast track. Mad Professor is a plater over hurdles but that didn't stop him landing a 1m4f handicap on the level. Teorban is completely capable although thoroughly exasperating as a betting medium. Best Selection has solid each-way claims if running up to the best of her form. Master Of Arms is best of the rest. A competitive yet surprisingly lowbrow affair in which Swords can land the hat-trick bid.
Merrymaker 5-1 (9-0) Towards rear, bustled along early, ridden over 4f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Keelung (9-9) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Axinit (GER) 15-2 (9-5) Led, ridden 4f out, headed and weakened early straight, last of 6, 18l behind Fire Finch (9-13) at Limerick 1m 4f handicap gf in Jul '06.
Master At Arms 8-1 (9-7) Held up, mid-division until weakened over 2f out, 11th of 15, 13l behind Soviet Sceptre (8-9) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Mad Professor (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) In touch, hung left from over 3f out, led over 2f out, ran on, won at Chepstow 1m 4f amt hcp (6) gf in Jul beating Ryedale Ovation (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Best Selection 16-1 (8-13) Behind, headway over 2f out, took 3rd over 1f out, no extra, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Resplendent Ace (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Swords 7-2 (8-3) In rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcap (6) fbs in Jul beating Parkview Love (9-2) by 6l, 13 ran.
Historic Place (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, lost place and in rear halfway, tailed off over 3f out, 10th of 11, well behind Swords (8-8) at W'hampton 2m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Archimboldo (USA) 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon prominent racing keenly, lost place over 5f out, no danger after, 4th of 7, 11l behind Tasheba (9-0) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
That Look 8-11fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led well over 3f out, ridden, headed 2f out, rallied briefly inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Chiff Chaff (8-9) at Yarmouth 2m hcap (6) gf in Jul.
Synonymy 16-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Casual Garcia (8-9) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Teorban (POL) 14-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon behind, 11th of 13, 21l behind Arabian Sun (8-9) at Bath 2m 1f hcap (6) sft in Jun.
Arabian Sun 14-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 17l behind Trigger's Friend (8-12) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Brave Bugsy (IRE) 7-2 (8-4) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 7l behind Clear Reef (9-7) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
