in touch, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace under strong pressure from over 1f out
keen, chased leader 2f, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, shaken up entering final furlong, soon every chance, not quicken near finish
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
pulled hard, led, headed over 3f out, remained prominent, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
held up, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
This is quite a competitive handicap to close the card and from a shortlist of Tartan Gigha, AUTUMN BLADES and Cornus we will side with Autumn Blades. Alan Bailey's 4-year-old has been running with plenty of credit on the all-weather over the winter and given the fact that he looks to have a progressive profile, he returns to the turf off what looks a competitive mark. He has a good draw and he looks the one to beat. Tartan Gigha will be suited by this drop back in trip after chasing home Soccerjackpot over 9f at Wolverhampton last week. All his best form is over this trip but the draw could been kinder and we suspect he may have to play second fiddle to our selection. Cornus was well beaten at Doncaster over the weekend in a competitive handicap and he looks as though his busy winter campaign is starting to catch up with him. Xpres Maite hails from a yard that might be coming into a bit of form and he could have an each-way chance. However, Autumn Blades has plenty in his favour and he looks the one to beat.
Pravda Street 10-3fav (8-8) With leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 14, 7l behind Huzzah (8-9) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr '08.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, outpaced, not look resolute from over 1f out, last of 5, 7l behind Swinbrook (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) in Mar.
Tartan Gigha (IRE) 11-4 (9-6) Tracked winner, ridden 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Soccerjackpot (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Sudden Impact (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) Led, raced awkwardly throughout, hung badly right and headed well over 3f out, dropped to rear of trio, eased well over 2f out, last of 3, 20l behind Boscage (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Some headway over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Royal Dignitary (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Timber Treasure (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 12l behind Harry Up (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Chartist 8-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up, short lived effort over 2f out, soon hanging and beaten, 5th of 6, 11l behind Haajes (9-0) at Folkestone 5f hcap (3) sft in Oct.
Cornus 28-1 (8-8) Chased leaders far side group, one pace over 1f out, 8th of 20, 11l behind Mister Hardy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Xpres Maite 5-2 (8-12) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, driven and ran on towards finish, gaining on winner near post, 2nd of 4, hd behind Nightjar (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Mar.
