behind, never a factor
held up mid-division, smooth headway from over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stsges
chased clear leader, ridden to challenge over 3f out, soon every chance, lost place well over 1f out
slowly away, always in rear
held up in touch, chased leaders well over 2f out, faded final furlong
dwelt, soon led, 15l clear after 3f, headed over 3f out, weakened and eased over 2f out
held up in touch, progress over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased clear leader, took closer order halfway, led over 3f out, strongly challenged from over 1f out, held on gamely
raced in rear, headway over 3f out, never dangerous
UNAWATUNA can go one better than when runner-up in this race two seasons ago, while Jackday and Coole Dodger both have claims. The selection goes well here, with that good effort in this race being bettered last September with a course and distance win. Rain would not be a problem as she acts with cut, but she can also go well on fast ground and with a pipe-opener under her belt she should go very close. Jackday is just 2lbs higher than his best winning mark on the Flat, and he both stays and acts on fast ground, so must be a serious threat tonight. Coole Dodger was not disgraced behind the in-form Zaplamation at Beverley last time and a 2lb drop will help him get even more competitive, while Dimashq has to prove her stamina, but if staying she should be in the shake-up. Spiders Star might need a drop in the weights but has eveything else going for her, but Unawatuna is the one for us.
Spiders Star 7-1 (8-11) In rear, behind from over 3f out, 9th of 11, 27l behind Dulcie (8-5) at York 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep.
Jackday (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 8l behind No Rules (9-6) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Unawatuna 4-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 16, 19l behind Sendali (8-12) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Apr.
Dimashq 16-1 (8-5) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind That'll Do Nicely (8-7) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Terenzium (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Keen early, tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Ragamuffin Man (10-0) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Coole Dodger (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 5l behind Zaplamation (8-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
San Deng 12-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 15, 4l behind Northern Dune (9-1) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Apr '09.
Spruzzo 40-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, lost place over 6f out, last of 11, 31l behind Squirtle (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Knock Three Times (IRE) 20-1 (7-11) Held up in rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 8l behind Sendali (9-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Ursis (FR) 14-1 (8-3) Close up, weakened over 4f out, soon tailed off, last of 9, well behind Swingkeel (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jul.
