tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden and edged slightly left, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, nearest finish
always towards rear
held up, well behind over 3f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden 7f out, behind final 4f
soon prominent, ridden and weakened quickly over 4f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
It wasn't a great race that Private Soldier won over course and distance last time out and so Zhitomir gets the vote ahead of Steel Grey. Michael Dods has his stable in good form at the moment and his charge comes here on the back of a fine third in a very competitive contest at Thirsk. Whilst the records suggest that he isn't as prolific a scorer on the all-weather, he has still shown plenty of ability on this surface and can record another win. Private Soldier's win last time was a bolt from the blue and he will need to prove that was no fluke, whilst Bobering has won twice over course and distance and is on a fair mark. Someday has been in good nick of late and should go close if again running his race, however of more interest may be Steel Grey. On recent efforts he is hard to fancy however he may be suited by this return to an artificial surface and although yet to fully prove his stamina, he could surprise a few at big odds. Gifted Flame and Alasil are two more to consider in an open contest, however Zhitomir is our idea of the winner.
Private Soldier 25-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, good headway going well on outside to lead over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol beating Slavonic Lake (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Alasil (USA) 5-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 15l behind Libre (9-4) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gf.
Bobering 15-2 (8-7) Raced keenly towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Weet Yer Tern (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Primeshade Promise 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 11l behind Foolish Groom (9-6) at Chepstow 1m ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Steel Grey 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 21l behind Lauro (9-3) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Jul.
Zhitomir 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway when edged left over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 18, nk behind Grandad Bill (8-13) at Thirsk 1m hcap (6) gf.
Gifted Flame 11-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 6th of 17, 9l behind Myfrenchconnection (8-13) at Beverley 1m hcap (6) gf.
Moyoko (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway on inside over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 13, 6l behind Blu Manruna (8-12) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcap (6) gf.
Spinning Gold 33-1 (8-12) In touch, led over 6f out, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 24l behind Aphorism (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) fbs in Dec.
Anna Walhaan (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Keen and in touch, weakened 2f out, last of 11, 34l behind Del Mar Sunset (9-12) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Aug '05.
Kathleen Kennet 11-1 (8-13) Took keen hold in mid-division, soon switched left and no impression, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Fantasy Crusader (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Aug.
Domesday (UAE) 28-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, just held, 2nd of 18, shd behind Grandad Bill (8-13) at Thirsk 1m hcap (6) gf.
Showtime Annie 16-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Paradise Walk (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f fll hcp (6) gf in Aug.
