mid-division, ridden 6th, outpaced 4 out, kept on
led, ridden and headed 7th, weakened 4 out
held up, never a factor, pulled up 3 out
in touch, closer order 8th, mistake 9th, chased winner 3 out, kept on under pressure but hung left
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, edged left, weakened approaching last
raced wide, not fluent 5th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden, weakened 4 out
in touch, jumped right 3rd, ridden to chase winner 7th weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway when mistake 9th and next, plugged on
held up, ridden 8th, no impression, tailed off before 3 out
prominent, led 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, lost place 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, reminders 6th, headway 3 out, ridden, weakened after 2 out
held up, ridden from 6th, no impression
mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
In a really competitive contest, a chance is taken with Wind Instrument with Just Amazing, Openditch and El Zorro just three others to consider. The selection has always been held in high regard by his handlers but has taken a while to live up to his current trainer's expectations this season. Now that he's got his head in front he should be able to go on and he looks to be on a decent enough mark for his handicap bow. Defeats to the likes of Forest Pennant and Aigle D'Or don't read too badly and this sort of test should prove to be ideal. Itsa Legend isn't dismissed but some of his rivals look better handicapped. Two that are unexposed are Just Amazing and Openditch, the former threw away a winning chance by racing green on his penultimate start and clearly has ability whilst the latter has shaped with plenty of promise more than once and should be suited by this step up in trip for his handicap bow. El Zorro, Gustavo and Stripe Me Blue have more to do following hefty rises for recent successes whilst Spirit Of New York impressed in three runs last spring/summer but will need to be at his best to defy his mark on his return. Several to consider then but Wind Instrument gets the nod.
Itsa Legend 9-2 (11-12) Held up, driven along after 7th, headway after 9th, stayed on from last, 4th of 11, 4l behind Arrayou (10-13) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Cool Roxy 9-1 (11-9) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Flake (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Feb.
Spirit of New York (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 8th, hit next, led after 2 out, left clear last, won at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Iron Maid (10-7) by 9l, 11 ran.
Laertes 6-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway after 5 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Super Road Train (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Gustavo 9-4fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Scots Dragoon (10-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Hoh Viss 9-2 (11-12) Held up, mistake 1st, went 3rd after 6th, blundered 7th, soon dropped to 4th, mistake 8th, went moderate 3rd approaching 2 out, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Tino Tino (9-11) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
El Zorro 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, led 3 out, soon ridden, clear last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb beating Ricardo's Chance (10-2) by 12l, 10 ran.
Stripe Me Blue 16-1 (10-8) Made all, stayed on gamely approaching last, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Pyleigh Lady (11-5) by 5l, 11 ran.
Just Amazing (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway 7th, ridden when not fluent last, led flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Ambrosinni (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Openditch (FR) 13-8fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, mistake and headed last, lost 2nd when weakened run-in, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Whiteoak (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed briefly 2 out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Gullible Gordon (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Vicario 16-1 (11-5) Led to 6th, weakened approaching next, 7th of 9, well behind Coq Hardi (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Supsonic 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 6th, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 21l behind Coq Hardi (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Herne Bay (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, hampered 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 42l behind Mossville (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Legally Fast (USA) 25-1 (11-6) In rear when fell at the 5th in race won by Very Cool (11-5) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Federstar (GER) 11-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway to join leader 5th, led after 4 out, joined 2 out, hung left after last, kept on and headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Pace Shot (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gs in Oct '05.
