prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out and weakened final furlong
held up behind leaders, quickened to lead and soon clear over 1f out, ran on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
reminders soon after start to go mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden along halfway, never troubled leaders
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, headway on wide outside over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden along over 3f out, some late headway, never reached challenging position
in touch, reminders over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
NORWEGIAN is the most tentative of selections in a truly awful race; onto the shortlist go the returning Agilete and the course and distance winners Bobering and Abbeygate. Ian Williams' experienced gelding has not tasted success since winning in April 2007. Wolverhampton has become like a second home to him since so he knows his way to the winners¿ enclosure and this is a further drop in class for him. Abbeygate's recent runs have not suggested that a win is immediate but his efforts in the early months of last year raise hopes, whilst Summer Bounty is not getting any better aged 13. Agilete has won here before but hasn't been seen for a year and a half; it will be interesting to see whether connections' patience will be rewarded. Bobering and Dobravany who ran just a couple of days ago are two more for consideration, but it is Norwegian who is put forward with eyes shut and fingers crossed.
Abbeygate 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and hanging right over 1f out, no impression on leaders, 7th of 12, 4l behind Samson Quest (9-0) at Lingfield 1m stk (7) pol.
Agilete 6-1 (10-2) Raced keenly and held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Daryal (11-3) at Chester 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Aug '07.
Bobering 33-1 (8-7) Behind, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 13l behind Samurai Warrior (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol.
Dobravany (IRE) 15-2 (8-5) Always behind, 7th of 12, 3l behind King of Legend (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Fortuitous (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon ridden along, kept on final 2f, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 4l behind Vanatina (8-11) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Frosty's Gift 16-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 15l behind Highly Regal (8-8) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Norwegian 9-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 6l behind Carlton Scroop (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 18-1 (9-1) Led until 4f out, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, 13th of 15, 32l behind Everyman (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Sept.
Spy Gun (USA) 28-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Vanatina (8-11) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Summer Bounty 28-1 (9-3) Behind, headway not clear run over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 14, 8l behind Amwell Brave (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
The London Gang 66-1 (8-9) Held up, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 10l behind Singleb (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Ricci de Mare 50-1 (8-1) Held up, ridden along over 4f, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 26l behind La Estrella (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs.
Postage (USA) 6-1 (9-6) In touch on inside, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind King After (9-9) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Apr '07.
