steadied start, always in rear, ridden and hung left final furlong
set steady pace, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked leader, led 1f out, ridden out
tracked leader, led 2f out, headed 1f out, pushed along and kept on
raced wide, close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
The penultimate race on the card is a very tricky but above average handicap and we think the spoils can go to RAPTOR ahead of Alcalde and Lang Shang. Jamie Mackey's horse is fit from the all weather and hopefully he can build on his latest success. He was once rated 100 but races off a mark of 81 today. If he can build on last weeks victory at Doncaster he could go close but he is a very tentative selection. His main danger may be the Frankie Dettori ridden Alcalde. Mark Johnston's son of Hernado is just the type to improve as a four-year-old. He had a bit of an attitude problem last year and has subsequently been gelded so he should be seen in a better light this year. He has gone well fresh before so if Mark Johnston has him fit, he should go close. A former Michael Stoute inmate, Lang Shinning, has tumbled down the handicap over the last year and has now joined a very shrewd yard. His season pipe opener was very poor but conditions were quite soft. He is capable of winning from his current mark and if the money comes he could be interesting. The mighty Richard Fahey sends Bolodenka on a journey down south and he should also be monitored but its Raptor who gets over tentative vote.
Lang Shining (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) Never better than mid-division, 20th of 21, well behind Penitent (9-2) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Mar.
Alcalde 12-1 (8-10) Tracked winner, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Hunterview (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct.
Omokoroa (IRE) 7-2 (8-2) Held up mid-division, good headway on outer to challenge over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Overturn (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Raptor (GER) 9-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders, headway over 4f out, led on bit over 3f out, driven over 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Daredevil Dan (8-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bugaku 11-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 15th of 18, 24l behind Trip The Light (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Managua 8-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Firth Of Fifth (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul '08.
Manshoor (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Keen tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, driven and ran on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Summer Winds (9-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Hollow Green (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Red Jade (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Mar.
Bolodenka (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Raced wide, held up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 12, 20l behind Trans Sonic (8-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Citizenship 8-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra and kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 18l behind Casual (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 4f ext hcp hvy in Nov.
