mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out
mid-division, driven over 3f out, never near to challenge
in touch, driven over 3f out and soon beaten
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish
dwelt and towards rear, never on terms
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2 fout, no extra final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on under pressure
towards rear, never a factor
always in rear
in touch, led over 3f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
Kumakawa looks to be returning to form and gets the nod over Star Fern and Boogie Magic. Dean Ivory's gelding has been running over all types of trips this season but appears to be best suited by a mile. His recent third to Noorain over course and distance was a very good effort and a repeat run could be good enough this afternoon. Star Fern finished just ahead of the selection in that contest but got first run. If more use is made of Kumakawa he should reverse the form. Boogie Magic hasn't raced since April when finishing seven lengths behind the winner on his all-weather debut at Wolverhampton. His turf form in 2004 was far superior to today's rivals and if he takes to this surface he should be there or thereabouts. The best of the rest could be Shinko Femme, but if Kumakawa puts in his true form he will be hard to beat.
Airedale Lad (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 8l behind Chigorin (9-4) at Haydock 1m 3f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gs in Sept.
Boogie Magic 25-1 (7-8) Prominent, lost place over 6f out, rallied over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 7l behind Blue Empire (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f app clm (6) pol in Apr.
Dextrous 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 17th of 18, 19l behind Gracia (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f app mdn hcp 0-60 (F) gf in Aug '02.
Efimac 33-1 (8-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Cadogen Square (7-9) at Catterick 7f fll hcp (6) gd in Sept.
Kintore 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten and eased final 2f, 10th of 11, 43l behind Pearl of York (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 1f 3yo hcp (F) gd in Jul '04.
Kumakawa 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Noorain (8-6) at Southwell 1m stk (7) fbs.
Shinko Femme (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride and towards rear, some late headway, never able to challenge, 11th of 18, 7l behind Cadogen Square (7-9) at Catterick 7f fll hcp (6) gd in Sept.
Star Fern 9-1 (8-12) Mid-division, not clear run over 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Noorain (8-6) at Southwell 1m stk (7) fbs.
