chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, weakened towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden entering final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened well over 1f out
prominent, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
with leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out
always in rear, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, kept on well
behind, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
mid-division, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A chance is taken on BRAVE PROSPECTOR despite top-weight; Ingleby Lady and Tajneed join Sunrise Safari on the list of dangers. Peter Chapple-Hyam's horse was an excellent third to Royal Rock at Ascot when last seen in October and this course and distance winner looks a player on this return to action. Admittedly he doesn't have a good record fresh, so if he fails to fire then it may pay to side with Tajneed who belied all expectations with a second to Lenny Bee at Beverley last month. That form is working out pretty well and he is handicapped to win a big race this year, although he might need some rain in order to win today. Magaling needs a market check as he drops in trip on this first run for a new shrewd yard, Hotham is consistent and should be cherry ripe after three recent runs, whilst Sunrise Safari impressed at Leicester last month but this looks a much tougher assignment. Red Cape may not win that often but he is handicapped to oblige sooner rather than later, Baldemar is consistent and may appreciate this less demanding finish and the yard can do no wrong in sprints at the track, whilst the drop in trip will suit Esoterica but he looks poorly handicapped. Of more interest is Ingleby Lady who signed off last year with a fine second in the inaugural running of the Bronze Cup at Ayr, whilst Oldjoesaid and Whistledownwind have not been with their new yards for long and are not to be ignored. Himalya looks fairly weighted, Buachaill Dona will appreciate a return to a straight finish after the Roodee last time, whilst Nota Bene was a winner at Newmarket when last seen but is 5lb higher as a result. As the list of runners indicates this is competitive fayre but we are happy to plump for Brave Prospector.
Brave Prospector 28-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Royal Rock (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Al Muheer (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Led after 1f , ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd 100 yards out, weakened and dropped to 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Thebes (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Nota Bene 4-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 5f cond Stakes (3) sft in Jul beating Icelandic (9-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Himalya (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, wanting to hang right, ran on towards finish, 4th of 11, 1l behind Dohasa (9-2) at Kempton 7f listed stks (1) pol in Dec.
Buachaill Dona (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Awkwardly away, always behind, 10th of 13, 7l behind Masamah (8-6) at Chester 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Whistledownwind 28-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway under pressure well over 1f out, stayed on, 8th of 23, 5l behind Extraterrestrial (8-12) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) sft in Apr '09.
Oldjoesaid 20-1 (8-13) Slowly away, behind, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 10l behind Lenny Bee (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Ingleby Lady 28-1 (9-10) Tracked leader far side group, led well inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 24, nk behind Baldemar (9-5) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gd in Sep.
Esoterica (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division, lost place 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 12l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Baldemar 13-2 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and some headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 8l behind Castles In The Air (8-13) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Magaling (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) In touch centre, joined stands side group 5f out, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 25th of 30, 21l behind Fareer (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Sunrise Safari (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Raced in rear, headway and switched right just over 1f out, kept on under pressure to lead close home, won at Leicester 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr beating Indian Skipper (8-3) by hd, 11 ran.
Red Cape (FR) 33-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 7l behind Buachaill Dona (9-1) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Apr.
Enderby Spirit (GR) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Markab (9-0) at Thirsk 6f stks (2) gf in Apr.
Sonny Red (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden hung left and weakened 1f out, 9th of 14, 12l behind Castles In The Air (8-13) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Cheveton 10-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Blue Jack (8-6) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Tajneed (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Lenny Bee (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Hotham 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon no impression, 11th of 15, 7l behind Tabaret (8-11) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.