towards rear, chased along and headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
made all, pushed along over 4f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, reminders halfway, never a factor
mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
held up, headway over 3f out, driven 2f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, effort when weakening over 2f out
prominent, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden over 3f out, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always rear division
mid-division, reminders halfway, never near to challenge
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden along over 6f out, soon behind
Patrick Haslam has his runners in good form and Patxaran looks good enough to land this open handicap from Hue, Grizebeck and Toboggan Lady. The selection was off the track from July 2006 until running down the field in a pipe opener at Doncaster recently. She goes on any ground, a trip like this suits, and she is now down to a very attractive mark, so she can score. Hue represents another in-form yard, that of Brian Ellison, and has conditions and trip to suit. He won over a similar trip at Redcar last time and a 7lb penalty will make this tougher, but he should still be thereabouts. Grizebeck is a consistent sort who was not far behind Hue last time and is now 4lb better off, so may be able to turn the tables with that rival. Toboggan Lady is well up to running a big race here as one who stays well and enjoys a sound surface but the major problem for her could be the form of her yard, which is suffering a very lean spell at present. Sand Repeal is perhaps a little too high in the weights and one-paced, while Snowberry Hill will see out the trip and may be a better proposition. Lady Pickpocket would be interesting if the money comes now she is blinkered for the first time, but Patxaran will do for us.
Hue 3-1fav (9-11) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, driven out, held on, won at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Mar beating Accordello (9-5) by a nk, 15 ran.
Patxaran (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) In touch, lost pace over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 27l behind Key Time (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul '06.
Flame Creek (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 16, 7l behind Red Wine (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-1) Prominent on inside, ridden and weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 10th of 12, 37l behind Blue Hills (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Grizebeck (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Led, headed halfway, remained in touch, regained lead over 4f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Hue (9-11) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Mar.
Rocknest Island (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Steadied at start and held up in rear, headway after 6f, driven and one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 11l behind Kentucky Boy (8-0) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Snowberry Hill (USA) 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Blue Hills (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Toboggan Lady 10-3jt-fav (8-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon rallied, led again towards finish, won at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct beating Capitalise (8-7) by a nk, 10 ran.
Blue Jet (USA) 5-1jt-fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 14l behind McQueen (9-0) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct.
Into Action 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 15, 27l behind Hue (9-11) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Mar.
Haatmey 13-2 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, ridden along over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 15, 16l behind Hue (9-11) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Mar.
George Henson (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Blue Hills (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Pheidias (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Led, headed narrowly over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened 3f out, 5th of 6, 25l behind Three Boars (9-5) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Vice Admiral 11-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 35l behind Pagan Starprincess (8-1) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct.
Lady Pickpocket 16-1 (10-1) Always behind, 14th of 17, 33l behind Harry The Hawk (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) gs in Oct.
