tracked leader, led after 3f, ridden and headed over 4f out, struggling and weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, some headway over 3f out, never a factor
tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and soon challenged from 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up, headway on outer to track leaders over 4f out, pressed leader well over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, asserted towards finish
reared start and stumbled, slow into stride and rider lost an iron for 1f, in rear wide and headway to go moderate 4th over 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
raced wide, in touch, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace from over 1f out
led 3f, tracked leaders after, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, lost place after 4f, behind 8ft out, soon tailed off
in rear, headway to mid-division 8ft out, lost place over 4f out
held up mid-division, lost place 8f out, ridden 6f out, soon weakened
A pretty big field to round off the day but MERRION TIGER has outstanding claims and can land this from Dazzling Begum and Drizzi. Our selection is three from three on this unique surface and bounced back to form last time when scoring by some seven lengths over course and distance. A 9lb rise for that success was the least the handicapper could do and with plenty of in-form course specialists in behind the form looks rock solid and the four-year-old should confirm it here. Dazzling Begum is the one most likely to pose problems to our pick as a course and distance winner who scored away from this track last time. A small rise in the weights shouldn't prevent this horse from going well on a surface that clearly poses no problems and Jeff Pearce¿s runner is worthy of plenty of respect, as is Drizzi who could go well here if fit from a lengthy absence. With that in mind the market is best watched with regard to Jim Best's runner who ran well off 5lbs higher when last seen here, albeit that was over two years ago. Of the rest Dawn Storm is the least exposed and looks up to going close off this mark in time although this will be his first try away from Dunstall Park whilst They All Laughed is in contrast totally exposed but has plenty of Southwell form to call upon and ran okay behind a bang in form horse last time. Stormy Summer carries top weight but enters calculations on his fine second last time although he has gone up 5lbs for that defeat and may be playing for places as might Dart who is hard to win with but goes well enough here. Merrion Tiger has a higher mark and a bigger field to contend with here but looks worth following on the surface and gets our vote.
Stormy Summer 6-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, tracked winner 4f out, challenged from 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 6, nk behind Shadows Lengthen (10-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs.
Drizzi (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, not clear run over 5f out, headway over 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, ridden, edged left 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Dandygrey Russett (10-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am sell stks (6) pol in Jun '08.
Merrion Tiger (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Pressed leader, led over 8f out until 7f out, led over 5f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, cleared final furlong, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Altos Reales (8-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
Dart 12-1 (9-9) Held up, wide and headway to track leaders 10f out, chased winner 4f out, ridden when clear with winner over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Saute (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
They All Laughed 13-2 (9-8) Chased winner until ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 13, 12l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Dazzling Begum 10-1 (8-9) Led until over 10f out, remained handy on inside, headway well over 1f out, led over 1f out, soon hung right, ridden and stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Mad Existence (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Dawn Storm (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Black Or Red (10-0) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Mustakhlas (USA) 22-1 (8-10) Set moderate pace, quickened 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 17l behind Little Richard (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec '07.
Games (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led, headed after halfway, soon moderate 2nd, weakened from 5f out, 6th of 11, well behind Regal Obligation (10-13) at Downpatrick 2m 2f am hcp 47-65 gd in Aug.
Free Falling 66-1 (8-7) Raced wide, always in rear, 10th of 11, 13l behind Binnion Bay (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Flirty (IRE) 25-1 (7-9) Soon chasing clear leader until inside final 4f, weakened 3f out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Satwa Gold (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Baltimore Patriot (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Held up, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 12, 7l behind Prince Charlemagne (10-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f amt hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Zaffeu 16-1 (8-10) Mid-division, lost place 7f out, soon behind, 10th of 13, 36l behind Kings Maiden (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
King Fernando 20-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, never troubled leaders, 10th of 14, 12l behind Dimashq (8-13) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Jun.
