close up, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon outpaced and behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed final furlong, kept on
in touch, soon driven along, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, led final furlong, kept on
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well
behind and outpaced
chased leaders to halfway
slow away, behind, effort on outer halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced from over 3f out
dwelt, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon not much room and switched left, stayed on towards finish, just held
mid-division, never dangerous
In an open affair Methaaly is taken to go in again at the main expense of Melachrist and Desert Opal. Jane Chapple-Hyam's four-year-old just held on to win last time out at Kempton and having won on good to firm ground on debut, he should be at home on today's return to turf and he could be capable of winning off today's mark of 67. Although there is generally no draw bias over this trip, his high draw will mean that he could be able to grab a rails position which should help his chances and he looks a decent bet. Melachrist chased home Brigadore at Pontefract a week ago which wasn't a bad effort at all and now dropped back a furlong (possibly didn't quite get home up Pontefract's steepish run-in), he certainly has place claims at least. Never Without Me and Charles Parnell are two conssitent sorts so both have a chance of getting in the money, however for win purposes Desert Opal may be of more interest. He has been in consistently good form on the all-weather and now able to race off a 9lb lower mark on turf (has actually won off 90 before), he looks very attractively weighted to go very close indeed. At a price, course and distance winner Whistler could run a big race, however we will stick with recent winner Methaaly as the selection as he looks to have more scope for improvement.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and no progress over 1f out, soon one pace, 7th of 10, 2l behind Cool Sands (8-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 2l behind Briannsta (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Methaaly (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, hard pressed well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar beating Imperium (9-1) by a shd, 12 ran.
Melalchrist 4-1fav (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Brigadore (9-2) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Ryedane (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) In touch, one pace final 2f, 5th of 17, 2 1/2l behind How's She Cuttin' (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Nov.
Hotham 9-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Observatory Star (8-5) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Desert Opal 10-1 (8-12) In touch on outer, one pace and hung left final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Fizzlephut (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Divine Spirit 17-2 (9-1) Held up, effort to chase leaders over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 16, 9l behind Brigadore (9-2) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Paddywack (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, 13th of 16, 12l behind Brigadore (9-2) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Verite 16-1 (9-5) Soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 3l behind Phinerine (9-3) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Feb.
Meikle Barfil 12-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up, came wide entering straight, never on terms, 11th of 12, 8l behind Paddywack (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol in Oct.
Memphis Man 20-1 (9-4) Held up, never near leaders, 8th of 14, 9l behind Shrine Mountain (9-4) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
No Time (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, 4th of 9, 3l behind Lady Bahia (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Dutch Key Card (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 6l behind Howards Princess (8-2) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Never Without Me 20-1 (8-8) Broke well, not much room after 1f, soon pushed along towards rear, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Count Cougar (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Pulse 12-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 13, 2l behind Elvina (9-0) at W'hampton 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Whistler 40-1 (8-5) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 15, 7l behind Namir (8-5) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
