chased leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong
towards rear, chased along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
stumbled at start, soon chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, not much room and switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden along 3f out, headway on outer over 1f out, edged left and kept on same pace final furlong
always rear division
chased leaders, not much room on inner 2f out and again approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
led, headed well over 1f out, soon beaten
towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f out, staying on until weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, never dangerous
An awful contest hardly deserving of the horse after which it is named, and Dandy Nicholls can take it with one of his three runners, Kabis Amigos, while Grand Opera and Memphis Man look the next best. Kabis Amigos is a c&d scorer who is drawn well here, races over his optimum trip, and is still on a competitive mark, so he can score. Grand Opera also has conditions and trip to suit and remains on the same mark as when going close at Redcar last week, which is fully 10lb below what he won off at Carlisle a couple of years ago, so he may be attractive to punters. Memphis Man steps back up in trip but that is not certain to suit him, with his optimum appearing to be 6f. That said, he is certainly capable from this mark and the bend here might help to make it more of a sprint up the straight and bring his speed more into play so don't rule him out. Malinsa Blue comes from an in form yard and we can rule out his final appearance last season where he had no chance from a poor draw. He would probably prefer further but can still be competitive from this mark with an inside pitch. However, Kabis Amigos has plenty going for him and can go in again.
Tencendur (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) In touch, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 18, 18l behind The Osteopath (8-8) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Byron Bay 16-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 8l behind Cha Cha Cha (8-8) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Guest Connections 9-1 (8-13) Behind, kept on final 2f, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Kabis Amigos 7-1 (8-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, one pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Cha Cha Cha (8-8) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Memphis Man 15-2 (8-6) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, kept on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Came Back (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
King Harson 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 5l behind Nuit Sombre (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Nov.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 13th of 20, 15l behind Nok Twice (8-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Mar.
Kamanda Laugh 33-1 (9-3) Always rear division, 7th of 9, 13l behind Ochre (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Grand Opera (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 20, hd behind Nok Twice (8-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Mar.
Malinsa Blue (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 12l behind Russki (8-11) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Valdan (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Raced alone stand side, was never a factor, last of 20, well behind Nok Twice (8-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Mar.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 12-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 10l behind Spinning (8-13) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Crux 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, virtually pulled up inside final furlong, last of 18, well behind Quicks The Word (8-5) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
