tracked leaders, led after 3 out, clear next, comfortably
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd before next, stayed on same pace
held up, headway when mistake 7th, ridden after 3 out, 6th, staying on when brought down 2 out
held up, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, weakened quickly after 6th, pulled up before next
led until 6th, soon behind
in touch, took closer order after 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, always held
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
held up, blundered 2nd, some headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace when left 4th next
tracked leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, 4th and held when fell next
in touch until 6th, soon behind
Nonrunner
ARMENIAN BOY looks the form pick to land the opener at the expense of Pourdel and The Grey Man. The selection comes into the race off the back of a decent second to Cockatoo at Lingfield. He broke his maiden tag first time of asking at Stratford eighteen months ago and has only been lightly raced since. He still looks potentially well handicapped and if he recaptures his best form he should not be too far away. Pourdel is still a maiden after seven outings to date. Phillip Hobbs is the trainer to follow at present as he is the middle of a purple patch. The form of the horse is by no means exceptional but running off a mark of 99 and with the trainer/jockey combination in such fine form he is very much respected. The Grey Man has not been seen for the best part of two years, but he did end on a winning note. He runs off the same mark as he did when winning at this venue in the summer of 2007 and he has proven in the past that he can run well fresh. That said he is sure to be a little ring rusty and is probably best watched first time out. So for the winner we return to Armenian Boy.
Armenian Boy (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased leader 5 out, ridden 3 out, led approaching 2 out, no extra when headed last, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Cockatoo (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
The Grey Man 20-1 (10-9) Held up behind, ridden and headway from 6th, challenged approaching 2 out, soon led, hard ridden last, just held on (hand timed), won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jul '07 beating La Grande Villez (10-9) by shd, 11 ran.
Kristoffersen 33-1 (11-2) Held up, headway halfway, hit last, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Templer (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Glad Big (GER) 25-1 (11-3) Always in rear, mistake 2 out, 9th of 14, well behind Cockatoo (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Callerlilly 66-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, soon led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 15, 16l behind Templer (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Party Palace 33-1 (11-1) Led, ridden when headed after 6th, weakened 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Captain Becket 13-2 (10-8) With winner until 5th, soon struggling, weakened after 7th, 6th of 8, 31l behind Quaddick Lake (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Pourdel (FR) 9-2 (10-6) In touch, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 18l behind Wun Chai (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Shanahan (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, soon hung right, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Petrosian (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (4) gd.
Worbarrow Bay (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division, weakened 8th, 9th of 14, 43l behind Spanish Cruise (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Willie John Daly (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) In rear, mistake 1st, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Deep Pockets (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 15 ran.
Businessmoney Jake 12-1 (9-11) Mid-division, driven along from 6th, went 4th approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, snatched 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Macmar (9-10) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Synonymy 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, hit 9th, struggling before next, 8th of 17, 23l behind Heir To Be (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
