held up, ridden over 4f out, headway to go 4th over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never troubled leaders
pulled hard, soon in touch, effort over 3f out, ridden and soon weakened, behind from over 2f out
held up, headway to track leaders over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied and kept on inside final furlong
held up, wide into straight over 3f out, headway soon after, ridden to lead well over 1f out, ran on
held up, wide into straight over 3f out, ridden and no impression
in rear, headway over 6f out, ridden to lead 3f out, headed well over 1f out, stayed on
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed 3f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace
mid-division, weakened over 6f out, behind from over 3f out
The closing race is an interesting one with several top yards represented and we will side with OPENING MEET to provide another winner for the Paul Nicholls team at the expense of Killobee and Strictly Business. The selection is another Ditcheat recruit from the point-to-pointing field where he managed to take third on his only start and with that experience on board we will take him to prove too strong in the closing stages for another newcomer in Robert Thornton's mount Killobee. Alan King's charge is out of a Group 3 flat winner and therefore should have the speed to make a mark in this sphere whilst the stables runners are always to be respected in this type of event, and so he is preferred to Strictly Business as the main danger. The last named is another newcomer in a race where form is lacking in substance but this Shahrastani gelding could go well under Sam Thomas for the Tom George yard. Of the remainder Guest Appearance is interesting for a stable going relatively well whilst Across the Straits at least has modest racecourse form but in a contest where the market will surely prove useful Opening Meet is the call.
Accordingtoemandem (IRE) Accordion gelding out of Merilena.
Across The Straits (FR) 150-1 (10-10) Held up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 18, 42l behind Lidar (10-8) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (2) gf in Feb.
Guest Appearance (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Miss Capella.
Killobee (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Killoskehan Queen.
Lifted Spirits (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden over 5f out, no impression, last of 16, well behind Sherwani Wolf (11-4) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Not Right Now (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 38l behind John's Gift (11-1) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) gs.
Opening Meet 5-1 (11-7) Stdy hdwy 10; jnd ldrs 15; one pce, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Always Willing (11-7) at Didmarton 3m ptp in Mar.
Royal Wings (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Pulled hard and chased leader, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 50l behind Megabill (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Nov '08.
Strictly Business Shahrastani gelding out of Top Notch.
Moonberry Overbury filly out of Moonlighter.
Oxlea Lass Access Ski filly out of Sporting Annie.
