mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 6th, led 2 out, readily
held up, headway on bit after 3 out, shaken up to chase winner before last, lost 2nd and one pace flat
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up towards rear on outside, short lived effort approaching 3 out, soon beaten
with leader, led briefly before 2 out, not fluent last, weakened
held up, headway on outside approaching 3 out, weakened quickly just after 2 out, soon eased
ridden along 6th, always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, driven along approaching 5th, struggling and behind 6th, stayed on well approaching last
raced keenly, mid-division, never dangerous
keen, prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden and slightly outpaced just before 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
mid-division, out paced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
City Affair can defy topweight at the expense of hat-trick seeking Tarkesar, with Look Of Eagles and Chandlers Cross seen as potential threats. Richard Johnson sat on City Affair for the first time here a fortnight ago, and the combination scooted up. That was the six-year-old's first outing in two months, and although his task was admittedly made easier by the defection of a main rival, there should be more improvement now that he has come to hand. Tarkesar was a cheeky winner here last time but takes a step up in grade and therefore has a bit more to do, but should still make his presence felt. Look Of Eagles ran well in defeat when second to Cottingham at Newton Abbot, and Chandlers Cross will at least benefit from a drop back in trip after fading when it mattered at Uttoxeter. Quite a few of these will no doubt be going over fences eventually and are best watched, with City Affair the one to be on today.
City Affair 3-1jt-fav (11-7) In touch and keen, headway to track leaders 6th, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf beating Hail The King (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tarkesar (IRE) 6-1 (12-1) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, challenged on bit 2 out, led last, cheekily, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl (5) gs in Jul beating Mr Tee Pee (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Depraux (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) In touch, chased winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Hot Zone (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jul.
Chandlers Cross (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 7th, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon hung left, not keen, no impression from last, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Oeil d'Estruval (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Look of Eagles 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 5th, clear approaching 2 out, headed soon after, weakening when blundered last, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Cottingham (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) In touch, headway 5th to join leader, weakened quickly 3f out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Linden Boy (10-3) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
Oakley Absolute 14-1 (10-10) Always in rear, 6th of 11, 45l behind Joe Lively (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Secret's Out 7-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, led before 3 out, 4 lengths clear when fell in race won by Heathyards Joy (10-13) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
City Breeze (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Pressed winner until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 9l behind Morning Roses (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jul.
Flying Pass 25-1 (9-13) Held up, never a factor, 8th of 12, 23l behind Cottingham (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, slightly hampered after 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, 20l behind La Dolfina (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May '06.
Solarias Quest 7-2jt-fav (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 6th, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, challenged last, kept on flat, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Native American (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 3f hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul.
