towards rear, ridden over 5f out, behind final 4f
led, headed 13f out, remainded handy, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner
held up, soon prominent, challenged over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 5f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, never nearer
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no real headway
This is a fascinating affair to finish off proceedings and BASALT can take it with Cape Merien and Murcar earning places on the shortlist. Admittedly, we are taking something of a flyer in selecting a horse that has had a long term absence but with Tim Pitt needing to re-establish himself in the public eye and the handicapper dropping his horse down the weights; we are hopeful that he can give a good account at what should be generous odds. Cape Merien has been very much in form of late and if she stays the trip, she has to be very much the one that they have to beat. Murcar won a Newbury handicap in first time blinkers though the handicapper's rise has rather done for him as far as winning is concerned. Alnwick seems better at Kempton so the percentage call has to be that of opposition. Deuce receives lumps of weight though she is yet to post a success on an artificial surface. Pagan Sword should be fit from a summer over timber. He was notoriously quirky when trained by Amanda Perrett and may need the handicapper to relent before his turn in the winners enclosure comes around. The remainder look ordinary. A race where no one performer has standout claims so we take our chances with Basalt.
Pagan Sword 5-1 (9-7) Started slowly, soon pushed along, behind, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Kaateb (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Oct '07.
Alnwick 4-1 (9-8) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 21l behind Rotative (10-0) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Basalt (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, chased winner 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Okafranca (8-0) at Chester 2m hcap (4) gs in Sep '08.
Murcar 8-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden 3f out, kept on never near leaders, 4th of 12, 8l behind Theola (8-8) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Cape Marien (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol beating Resplendent Ace (9-10) by 2l, 14 ran.
Tayman (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, one paced, 4th of 15, 5l behind Mad Professor (10-5) at Chepstow 1m 4f am hcp (6) gf in Jul '08.
Bold Adventure 12-1 (9-11) Broke well, immediately steadied, raced keenly, always behind after, last of 12, 14l behind Cape Marien (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Eyeffess (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, no impression from 4f out, 8th of 15, 18l behind Banna Man (11-3) at Killarney 1m 4f ladies hcp 0-70 gs in May.
Deuce 10-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway on outside 5f out, narrow lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind John Forbes (9-9) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Rainbow Dash (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 3f out, 13th of 17, well behind Silverhand (9-5) at Curragh 1m 6f hcp 3yo+ sft in Sep.
