led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, led approaching final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leaders, headway over 6f out, went 2nd over 5f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
The three leading players in this claimer are My Mate Mal, Sedgewick and HANNICEAN and with the last mentioned likely to be a tempting price we'll side with the Ian Willams charge. My Mate Mal and HANNICEAN are both rated the same and race off level weights so considering that the former looks as though he'll go off at a short price Hannicean looks great value. It's not as though the gelding is out of form either having only just missed out in handicap company last time. He was a winner three starts back when getting up over a shorter trip here and in this company for the first time he has to be respected. My Mate Mal easily won a couple of sellers before finding just the one too good in the handicap ranks on his last start. He has a leading chance now back down in grade but at the forecast odds he looks a little short. Sedgewick is looking for his fourth win in five starts with the last couple coming back to back at this level. Whilst on this form he should go well but has a little to do on these terms. United Nations and Quince can be given a chance of minor money under their burdens but Hannicean looks the call after his last handicap run.
My Mate Mal 7-2 (9-0) Led, 4 lengths clear 8f out, ridden and pressed 2f out headed 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Bosamcliff (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
I Feel Fine 100-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon well behind, 9th of 14, 18l behind Rossini's Dancer (8-5) at Beverley 1m app stks (6) sft in Sep '08.
Sedgwick 6-4fav (8-12) Held up, steady headway going well from 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks (5) pol in Feb beating Drizzi (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Quince (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Tracked winner 3f, raced in 3rd after until ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Jeer (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
United Nations 66-1 (8-8) Slowly away, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Satwa Moon (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Vintage Quest 66-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, behind final 6f, last of 11, well behind Stravita (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs in Dec '08.
Hannicean 16-1 (9-1) Held up, pulled hard, headway to press winner 9f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Jeer (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Simone Martini (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 16, 16l behind Deutschland (9-12) at Navan 1m 5f app hcp 50-85 gd in Jun.
