held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders and soon weakened
slowly into stride, settled in rear, headway over 2f out, took 4th over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not troubled winner
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, reminders and soon clear, driven out final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost 3rd 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
led until headed over 2f out, kept on, lost 2nd inside final furlong
towards rear, headway 3f out, not reached leaders and weakened 2f out
in touch on outer, lost place 3f out, soon in rear
raced on outer, held up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never nearer
Climate should appreciate a return to an artificial surface and David Evans' experienced gelding gets the vote ahead of Fantasy Crusader and Onenightinlisbon. Soft ground at Chepstow was never going to be the selection's cup of tea recently and a better showing is likely today. His all-weather record is impressive reading (11 wins in 43 starts) and he is fairly treated on old form off this mark of 65. Onenightinlisbon has held his form fairly well of late and whilst his strike-rate is hardly exciting, he has a fair draw and if the money came for Jim Boyle's runner then he may look even more enticing. Magic Warrior is a course and distance winner, as is Moyoko who has a nice racing weight having been dropped a couple of pounds for a recent second. Recalcitrant is fairly consistent, and his record on the all-weather doesn't inspire confidence, however one feels that it would be harsh to say that he is aptly-named. Sonny Parkin has the visor off today and he may show more with the headgear off, whilst Fantasy Crusader would be an interesting contender if the market signs were positive on his reappearance. A typically trappy opener, and it is Climate who looks the most solid.
Climate (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Never a factor, 9th of 10, 19l behind Dancing Storm (8-6) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in May.
Sonny Parkin 20-1 (8-8) Raced centre, held up in rear, ridden and headway when hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Oat Cuisine (8-8) at Newmarket 1m hcap (5) gf in May.
Eagle Nebula 11-1 (9-12) Tracked leader until weakened 2f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Silver Guest (8-11) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Onenightinlisbon (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong but never troubled leaders, 5th of 10, 7l behind Daniel Thomas (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Magic Warrior 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Wisdom's Kiss (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m hcap (6) pol in May.
Recalcitrant 13-2 (8-7) Chased leader, led inside final furlong, headed entering final furlong, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 11l behind Willow Dancer (9-4) at Bath 1m hcap (5) gd.
Postmaster 9-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up, headway when not clear run approaching final furlong, stayed on, not reach leaders, 6th of 14, 3l behind Nassar (8-5) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in May.
Fantasy Crusader 13-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, driven along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 6l behind Theatre Royal (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Moyoko (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Dwelt, held up, headway over 1f out, switched left, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Willow Dancer (9-4) at Bath 1m hcap (5) gd.
