led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, edged left inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, reminders over 3f out, never troubled leaders
held up behind leaders, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 4f out, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, always rear division
Rain Stops Play can overcome the burden of top weight in this company and is preferred to Goose Green and Hoh Wotanite, who make the most appeal out of the rest. Hoh Wotanite is a little high in the weights but is not without a chance on the best of his form. He goes well at this track and rates a fair value to at least make the frame. Goose Green gained a deserved success here a fortnight ago and has to rate as a threat in his current frame of mind. He is only 1lb above a previous winning mark, so is still in contention despite a 6lb hike up the ratings. However, preference is given to Rain Stops Play, who is on a very attractive mark just now. Admittedly his recent form figures are uninspiring so he needs to turn back the clock to prevail. However, it is worth bearing in mind that he has won off a mark of 85 in the past and, as this is his time of year, Rain Stops Play looks the best bet as a sporting option in a tricky handicap.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Led, headed 2f out, soon hung right and weakened, eased final furlong, 9th of 14, 10l behind Very Wise (9-5) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Hoh Wotanite 8-1 (8-5) Towards rear, some headway from 2f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 5l behind Russki (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Pelham Crescent (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Goose Green (IRE) 10-3fav (8-13) Led early, chased leader, ridden to lead 1f out, soon edged right, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Putra Laju (9-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
My Michelle 11-1 (8-9) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Lobengula (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (6) pol.
King's Ransom 10-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 7th of 12, 4l behind Im Ova Ere Dad (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Fan Club 66-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, 16l behind Spinning (8-13) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Life's A Whirl 22-1 (9-0) Towards rear centre group, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, no impression on leaders, 6th of 17, 6l behind Seneschal (9-4) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Shopfitter 11-1 (7-11) In touch on outer, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, 8th of 11, 13l behind Sapphire Storm (7-12) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Jun '06.
