prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
with winner, weakened and edged right over 1f out
slowly into stride, chased leaders, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, lost 3rd close home
close up, ridden 1f out, kept on
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened from over 1f out
went left start, held up towards rear, kept on on well inside final furlong, nearest at finish
made all, took keen hold early, ridden over 1f out, held on well
A tricky handicap for the punters to solve and MINTURNO can see off Glenluji and Welcome Approach. Ann Duffield's stable have been in a purple patch over the last few weeks and her top-weight could be the answer to the final conundrum of the evening. He has won in cheekpieces previously and they are back again tonight. Glenluji won an apprentice handicap over a mile. He will actually be racing off a 2lb lower mark this evening although whether he will be as effective over a shorter trip is another matter. Welcome Approach is always dangerous at this level and John Weymes mare is noted in the market. Final Salute has been given a helping hand by the handicapper though is yet to take advantage. Call Of Duty is conceivably well handicapped versus his form with Mark Johnston while Hosanna's recent fourth at Musselburgh represented a step in the right direction although she has yet to trouble the judge in twenty starts. A race where there are plenty of imponderables but with the stable in form and the rider performing at the peak of his powers, Minturno is deemed the percentage call.
Minturno (USA) 3-1 (9-9) With leader, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Bateleur (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Zabeel Tower 16-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 25l behind Thunderstruck (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Hitches Dubai (BRZ) 16-1 (8-13) Behind, ridden and outpaced 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 9, 21l behind Lost In Paris (9-1) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in May.
Final Salute 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, joined leader halfway, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Ivestar (10-7) at Hamilton 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Call Of Duty (IRE) 5-2fav (8-6) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Ailsa Craig (9-1) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Welcome Approach 9-2 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon hung right, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Musical Bridge (10-0) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Hosanna 25-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, effort 3f out, pressing leaders over 1f out, edged right and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Smalljohn (9-0) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Lily Jicaro (IRE) 80-1 (8-1) Always behind, 14th of 18, 24l behind Liberty Trail (9-1) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Glenluji 20-1 (8-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) gf beating Catcher Of Dreams (8-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Almaty Express 11-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, hampered on inside over 3f out, switched right and not clear run well over 1f out, switched right 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 4l behind Pressed For Time (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol.
Obe One 40-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 15l behind Finsbury (9-0) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Botham (USA) 16-1 (8-5) Soon outpaced, never a factor, 6th of 7, 9l behind Tangerine Trees (9-6) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
