soon pushed along in mid-division, went 4th over 3f out soon ridden, weakended 2f out
tracked leaders until lost place 5f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on pressure to lead near finish
tracked leaders, led 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on, no extra
towards rear of mid-division, ridden and stayed on same pace from 3f out
held at last, ridden and no impression from 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, no extra when headed near finish
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on out over 3f out, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 5f out, effort 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed 7f out, weakened quickly over 4f out, tailed off
This looks an intriguing contest, with Swingkeel, CASUAL GARCIA and Judgethemoment making the shortlist, and Sir Mark Prescott's Casual Garcia perhaps the one to come out on top. Judgethemoment was winning for the third time when scoring over this trip at Kempton recently, and is only 3lbs higher here. He will come on for that re-appearance effort, but he does look exposed compared to some of his rivals. John Dunlop is adept at training stayers, and therefore Swingkeel commands respect. He was just touched off at Newbury recently in a similar contest. He will come on for his first run of the season and can handle the fast ground and looks a danger. The grey, Casual Garcia made rapid strides last season, finishing off with two resounding victories having been stepped up in trip-a typical strategy by his trainer. Consequently, although the handicapper has raised him a stone for his last emphatic win, he may still be well treated. A nine month absence is the only concern, but Casual Garcia is progressive and is the one to side with.
Wicked Daze (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, chased leader 4f out, ridden and effort 2f out, no extra, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Desert Sea (8-13) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Judgethemoment (USA) 13-2 (9-5) Made all, led, pressed 5f out, shaken up and quickened clear 2f out, ran on strongly, driven out, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr beating Alnwick (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Ermine Sea 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind All The Good (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Nov '06.
Fregate Island (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Held up in touch, smooth headway from 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden approaching final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Warwick 1m 7f hcap (4) gd in Sep beating Haarth Sovereign (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Royal Jet 8-13fav (8-13) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure 1f out, went 3rd entering final furlong, not pace to reach 1st 2, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Polish Power (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Apr.
Absolut Power (GER) 8-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden and effort 3f out, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Viper (9-13) at Newmarket 2m hcap (3) gs in Oct.
Swingkeel (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to press winner from over 1f out, every chance throughout final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, ns behind Mighty Moon (9-7) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Dolly Penrose 12-1 (8-6) Held up, ridden along and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Downhiller (9-6) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr.
Alnwick 9-2 (9-10) Led, pressed and headed just over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Eforetta (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Casual Garcia 5-6fav (8-9) Made all, unchallenged, pushed clear over 2f out, in no danger after, won at Folkestone 1m 7f hcap (5) gf in Aug beating Daring Racer (9-5) by 9l, 8 ran.
Simonside 8-1 (9-7) In touch, outpaced 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Eton Fable (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
