chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
switched right start, held up in rear, pushed along and struggling early straight
chased leaders in 4th, ridden on outside when hampered 2f out, beaten after
in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, stayed on same pace
led, pushed 3 lengths clear entering straight, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra
slowly in to stride, held up in rear, steady headway on outside from 2f out, sustained run to lead 1f out, quicken clear, readily
held up in 7th, ridden on inside over 2f out, soon weakened
soon tracked leader, edged left 2f out and soon weakened
took keen hold, steadied in touch, switched out and effort 2f out chased winner and hung right final furlong, no impression
An open-looking race with the vote given to the progressive Cape Hawk ahead of Jamoboretta and Bahar Shumaal. The selection comes here on the back of a good win just a fortnight ago on the all-weather at Kempton and he is taken to overcome a 9lb rise in the weights. He went close in a valuabale handicap at that track last September, and he has obviously wintered very well. He shouldn't mind this return to turf and he can win again. Jamboretta is an obvious danger as he represents a very powerful stable. He has only paid back a fraction of his whopping 575,000 guineas price tag however the feelign is that he may just be a Group horse masquerading in handicaps. Very Wise has been disappoiting in his two runs this season, and he still looks to be a tad high in the weights, whilst Ace Of Hearts is a major player but he may just prefer quicker ground. Bahar Shumaal takes a significant step back in trip, whilst Press The Button and Prince Of Thebes have ability but may just need the run. Birkspiel is one to watch in the betting, however it is Cape Hawk who can win again for his in-form stable.
Very Wise 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders until weakened and eased over 2f out, last of 8, 27l behind Benandonner (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcap (2) fbs.
Birkspiel (GER) (9-0) In touch to 3f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 45l behind Egerton (9-2) at Cologne 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr '07.
Cape Hawk (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) Always prominent, led 2f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Nice To Know (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Ace of Hearts 66-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 19th of 34, 11l behind Pipedreamer (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Led steady pace, quicken over 3f out, headed 1f out, edged left under pressure, weakened close home, 4th of 8, 4l behind Watamu (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Jamboretta (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, quickened to challenge 2f out, soon driven and held final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Venerable (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Press The Button (GER) 50-1 (8-13) Always mid-division, 7th of 14, 12l behind Heaven Knows (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out until well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 14, 7l behind Very Wise (9-5) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Nov.
Humble Opinion 12-1 (8-3) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Crosspeace (9-10) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Aug '06.
