chased leaders, mistake 8th, mistake 2 out, soon driven, rider dropped whip last, ran on to lead towards finish
held up, well off the pace until 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on flat, nearest finish
held up, raced keenly, well off the pace until 3rd, headway 8th, challenged 2 out, every chance flat, not quicken towards finish
held up, well off the pace until 3rd, pushed along after 8th, ridden 3 out, wanting to hang right, stayed on flat, not pace to troubled leaders
chased leader until demoted to 3rd after 1st, went 2nd again 8th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
chased leader after mistake 1st until 8th, remained prominent, beaten when not fluent last
led, ridden flat, headed towards finish
Nonrunner
Trainer Evan Williams sidestepped a race at Wetherby yesterday with THE SNAIL and can take advantage here, while Benmadigan and Phoenix Eye can make him earn the victory. The selection comes here chasing a hat-trick after wins at Exeter and Wincanton over similar trips. He is up 7lbs for the most recent of those, but it was a very comfortable success, and he looks like having too much for his opponents today on ground that he loves. Benmadigan is another fast-ground type who stays this far, and he escapes a penalty for landing a conditional jockeys' contest at Carlisle last time. His chance is respected, and he too may not have stopped improving just yet. Phoenix Eye also has conditions to suit and is 4lbs higher than when runner-up over a similar trip at Huntingdon, so he will again be competitive. Novarra has not run since a dismal effort at Uttoxeter in the spring, but trip and ground suit and she will hopefully be better for the break, so could be a player at the business end. Little else appeals at these weights and The Snail can contradict his name by completing a hat-trick.
Le Corvee (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, jumped slowly next and 3 out, never in contention, 6th of 8, 28l behind Folk Tune (11-3) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gf.
Golden Alchemist 16-1 (10-13) Ran in snatches in rear, ridden and lost touch 6th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Little Lu (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug '08.
Phoenix Eye 7-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, every chance from next, stayed on well, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Sabre Hongrois (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Benmadigan (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching last, kept on towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Wensleydale Web (10-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Novarra (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon well beaten, 7th of 14, 35l behind Festival Dreams (9-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Posh Emily 16-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway after 8th, ridden after next, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 16, 23l behind Quillygham (11-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Young Tot (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Wujood (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
The Snail 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf beating Prince Noora (11-11) by 7l, 9 ran.
