slowly into stride, always behind
led, ridden over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, led just inside final furlong, edged right, ran on close home
ridden 4f out, always towards rear
chased leader, ridden, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, soon no impression
hampered start, in rear on outside, ridden over 2f out, headway final furlong, not troubled leaders
held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders over 4f
always prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Val De Maal, Seldemosa and Teyaar look the more obvious suitors and we will stick with Val De Maal. Although the draw is hardly helpful, the selection does have plenty of early speed and might just be able to get away with matters if trapping out swiftly. The removal of blinkers appeared to be to his benefit and over this extended trip, he might just be the ticket in a race that lacks any superstars. Seldemosa has ability to land these races but struggles to get his head infront when it matters. Teyaar is a fully exposed veteran but is at least in form at present. Drink To Me Only has shown brief moments of inspiration but is not well drawn. Blaze Trailer is watched in the market for any signs of confidence whilst Kahlua Bear is worth another chance at this trip after a fair fourth last time out. Black Oval looks best of the remainder. Val De Maal does have some negatives against him this afternoon but he could have enough positives to get by in a weak contest.
Distant Shores (IRE) 50-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, steady progress final 2f, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 17, 5l behind Outlook (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 2yo clm (5) gs in Sept '05.
Grafton (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Keen, held up, headway on inside halfway, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 13, 13l behind Mozakhraf (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs in Dec.
Kahlua Bear 20-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Shava (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Drink To Me Only 33-1 (8-8) Prominent, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 14l behind Granakey (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Seldemosa 7-2jt-fav (8-8) Held up, headway 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Wodhill Be (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Cape of Storms 33-1 (8-12) In rear, from well over 3f out, headway well over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 11, 2l behind Shava (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Teyaar 9-2jt-fav (9-3) Switched right from wide draw and held up towards rear, effort on inside 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 3l behind Must Be Keen (9-0) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) std.
Black Oval 6-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Burhaan (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Lake Carezza (USA) 50-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, chased leaders and effort over 2f out, weakening when short of room over 1f out, 8th of 12, 4l behind Freda's Choice (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Et Dona Ferentes 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 14, 7l behind Glamaraazi (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Val de Maal (IRE) 22-1 (8-12) Prominent, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs beating Lucius Verrus (8-6) by a nk, 10 ran.
Blaze Trailer (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, mainly 3rd, lost place and no impression under pressure from over 2f out, 9th of 17, 7l behind Ansari (8-10) at Fairyhouse 1m 1f hcp 0-70 frm in Jul.
