in touch, headway on inside 2f out, weakened 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, driven out
not much room on inside over 4f out, in rear, switch right entering straight, never near leaders
chased leaders over 2f
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and one pace inside final furlong
always prominent, switched left inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, edged left and ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, reminder 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased winner, ridden and edged left entering final furlong, kept on
A fair contest with several runners coming into the race in form. We like the look of White Ledger but Geordie Dancer, Miss Curly and Dodaa all merit respect whilst it would be no surprise to see Taboor run a big race. The selection was well held when having his first run since July but stepped up markedly on that form to come within a short-head of success over course and distance next time. This is more competitive but a similar performance should see him go close. Geordie Dancer makes a quick reappearance under a penalty following his win in a seller. He isn't too badly treated on the pick of his old form but it would still be a surprise to see him follow up given that that race rather fell into his lap and he's done most of his racing over further. Taboor will need plenty of luck in running given his hold-up style and has only won once in forty all-weather starts but he has proved his competitiveness from his current mark of late and has to be feared. Dodaa was behind Miss Curly on his penultimate start and has disappointed since but has the ability to bounce back whilst the Irish raider is far from out of this racing from just a 3lb higher mark. However, we'll come back to White Ledger for the selection.
Geordie Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 5f sll (6) pol beating Highland Song (9-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Dodaa (USA) 15-2 (8-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 10l behind Multahab (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Melandre 18-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway and hung right entering straight, one pace, 4th of 9, 5l behind Alexander Huricane (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol.
White Ledger (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) In rear, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, just denied, 2nd of 11, shd behind Mr Loire (9-0) at W'hampton 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Miss Curly (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, effort and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead post, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan beating Twinned (8-12) by a hd, 9 ran.
Taboor (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Started slowly, raced keenly towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Davids Mark (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Maiden Investor 9-2 (8-10) Started very slowly, always well behind, last of 9, 19l behind Alexander Huricane (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol.
Vlasta Weiner 50-1 (8-9) Started slowly, pressed leader after 2f, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, soon well behind, last of 12, 24l behind Sovereignty (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Town House 12-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Alexander Huricane (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol.
