held up in rear, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
behind when broke down and pulled up 6f out
raced wide, in touch, ridden halfway, well behind final 3f
led to over 2f out, chased winner until weakened over 1f out
chased leader to over 4f out, stayed close up, kept on under pressure final furlong
mid-division, driven along 3f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well
chased leaders until weakened 3f out
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
Plain Champagne is hard to get away from here and, accordingly, gets the vote, with Icannshift and Kalani Star possibly proving best of the others. The simple fact is that Plain Champagne bolted up here over a longer trip four days ago, looking well handicapped in the process, despite racing there from out of the weights!!. Her chance is an obvious one. Kalani Star ran pretty well at Yarmouth last time and, if taking to today's trip, could go well. Diamond Dan holds a chance on the best of his all-weather form, and Alan Munro is possibly an interesting booking for Agilete. Icannshift likes it here and has form enough to play some kind of part. Siena Star seems to have lost his way and, to be fair, as you work your way through the form of a number of these, you find yourself saying that current form or the fact that they are racing from above a previous best winning mark, counts against them. Finally, Play Up Pompey was running well from around today's mark last season, Megalala ran pretty well here last time and Ground Patrol could be interesting if attracting money. Overall, though, the vote stays with Plain Champagne.
Siena Star (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Mobane Flyer (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f clm (6) gs in May.
Sailing Days 7-1 (8-8) Prominent, went 2nd halfway, weakened 2f out, 5th of 13, 14l behind Masquerader (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Aug.
Golden Spectrum (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (8-11) Always about same place in mid-division, 8th of 14, 9l behind Christmas Truce (8-10) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) frm in May.
Play Up Pompey 20-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Wild Pitch (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in May.
Justcallmehandsome 16-1 (9-0) Led, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 17l behind Cormorant Wharf (9-13) at Bath 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gs in May.
Megalala (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Steadied into mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never able to challenge, 6th of 14, 5l behind Asaateel (9-1) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Plain Champagne (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, driven clear, won at Brighton 1m 4f fll hcp (6) gf in May beating Zaville (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kalani Star (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Mid-division, headway 5f out, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and rallied to stay on inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Sol Rojo (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Diamond Dan (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, kept on again from over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 8l behind Fantasy Crusader (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in May.
Didoe 14-1 (9-2) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 15, 15l behind Cormorant Wharf (9-13) at Bath 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gs in May.
Agilete 8-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, came wide into straight, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 15l behind Zinging (8-5) at Brighton 1m 2f app hcp (6) gs in May.
Southern Tide (USA) 18-1 (8-13) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 3l behind Fantasy Crusader (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in May.
Miss Monica (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, hampered over 3f out, hung right, headway under pressure approaching 2f out, not run on, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Shaika (7-9) at Leicester 1m 2f sll (5) gs in May.
Icannshift (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Led, strongly pressed from 2f out, headed 1f out, held when lost 2nd final 50 yards, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Asaateel (9-1) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Ground Patrol 7-2 (9-4) Prominent on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly soon afterwards, 8th of 10, 7l behind Lowestoft Playboy (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
At The Helm (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 12th of 15, 29l behind Cottingham (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcap (6) gd.
