took keen hold, tracked leading trio, no impression on winner when went modest 2nd, went left 3 out and 2 out, went left and weakened to 3rd last
made all, set steady pace, going easily when clear 3 out, canter
took keen hold, held up in 5th, tracked leading pair 5th, modest 2nd after 5th, weakened when hit 3 out, well beaten when hit last 2, tailed off
hung left most of way, with winner, ridden 5th, soon lost 2nd, rallied to poor 2nd last, never any chance with very easy winner
chased leading pair, mistake 3rd, weakened 5th, tailed off
took keen hold, always in rear, mistake 2nd, ridden and struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
EVENING HAZE ran a better race in defeat at Newton Abbot last time and is fancied to see off Tout Regulier and Frosted Grape. This doesn't look a strong race and Phil Dando's mare looks to be moving in the right direction. Although she was flattered by her proximity to Express Leader last time, the run still looks solid and with the ground in her favour she can take top honours. Saddlewood's fourth to Mayberry puts her in contention, Tout Regulier is an interesting Irish recruit for Peter Bowen and she is respected despite having something to prove on this ground, whilst Farncombe is no superstar on the flat but may enjoy jumping a hurdle. Of more interest is Frosted Grape who is another Irish recruit and she ran well on similar ground at Tramore last time out, Gabrielle Da Vinci is unexposed and likely to improve now hurdling, whilst Special Bond is rated in the low 60's on the flat and needs a market check on this hurdling debut. An open affair once again but the nod goes to Evening Haze.
Evening Haze 80-1 (10-0) Mid-division on outside, headway 4th, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, one pace after 3 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 23l behind Express Leader (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gd.
Tout Regulier (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, some headway after 4 out, kept on without threatening straight, 6th of 22, 16l behind Special Token (11-0) at Cork 2m mdn hdl hvy in Apr.
Farncombe (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Musashi (9-1) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) std in Mar (flat).
Frosted Grape (IRE) 6-4fav (10-11) Prominent, led 4th, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, ran around approaching last and headed, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Iron Duke (10-13) at Tramore 2m 4yo mdn hdl gf in Apr.
Gabrielle Da Vinci 40-1 (10-7) Rear-division, modest late headway, 9th of 14, 28l behind Instabella (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f N H flat (4) gd in Apr.
Special Bond 9-4 (7-13) Tracked leaders, effort when not clear on inside over 1f out, soon switched right, short of room inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 3l behind Whotsit (8-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Feb '09 (flat).
Saddlewood (IRE) 80-1 (10-13) Toook keen hold in mid-division, kept on from 3 out, not pace to trouble leaders, 4th of 14, 21l behind Mayberry (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
