held up, effort 3f out, no impression
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch and keen, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left, ridden out
tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 3f out
keen tracking leaders, led over 2f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, one pace soon after
in touch, ridden and weakened 4f out
led, ridden when headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 4f out, plugged on
mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner from over 1f out, hampered and not clear run well inside final furlong, not recover
held up and keen, effort over 3f out, no impression
Steig, Grizeback and Niqaab are the three to look at here with Steig set to gain reward for some near misses. Niqaab's third was at a respectful distance last time but probably as good an effort as he has turned in to date. This is a modest affair and it would be no surprise to see him fill a similar place again. Grizebeck has a similar level of form with a third at Southwell his latest Flat effort, though he has run well since to be a good fifth in a maiden hurdle at Catterick. He also ran well at Haydock during the summer and was second here on his second start. He can play a part in the finish. Steig was well backed when fancied to score here a fortnight ago, but had to settle for second beaten a length. He had been off the course for seven months though and can be expected to come on for the run. He has been placed in four of his five Flat starts and has the best form in the race. Steig can take this.
Art Historian (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, hung left and no impression from well over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Little Richard (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Dec '06.
Right You Are (IRE) (12-0) Led 2 out, ran on well, won at Coolkip 3m ire ptp gs in Oct beating Kilmastulla (12-0) by 5l, 9 ran (N.Hunt).
Son of Samson (IRE) 66-1 (9-13) Dwelt, headway to join winner after 2f, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Magic Moth (8-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb '06.
Steig (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Always prominent, chased winner over 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Glenridding (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Swimandyouwin (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Satindra (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
Weet For Ever (USA) 17-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 11l behind She's The Lady (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Tewkesbury (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) Always rear division, 12th of 13, 23l behind Van Ruymbeke (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
The Diamond Bond 8-1 (8-12) Led early, chased leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Summerofsixtynine (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Hayley's Pearl 150-1 (9-0) Started slowly, always behind, 7th of 10, 40l behind Pelican Waters (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
Niqaab 7-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to go 2nd over 4f out, no extra over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 8l behind She's The Lady (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Tribiani (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Towards rear early, ridden to moderate 7th over 1f out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 15, 7l behind Sara Cara (7-13) at Killarney 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 gs in Jul.
Grizebeck (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) In touch, led after 3f, ridden along over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Dart (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) fbs in Dec.
