held up, headway when not visible, ridden and weakened 4f out
held up in touch, 4th when visible into straight, kept on to chase winner final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, no further impression
tracked leaders throughout, came standside into straight, one pace
mid-division, 6th when visible in straight, no further impression
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakening when visible in straight
always in rear
tracked leaders, chasing winner when visible in straight, weakened close home
mid-division, some progress when visible in straight, soon weakened
in rear, in 7th when visible in straight, no further impression
never better than finishing position
prominent, weakened when not visible
mid-division, never better
made all, kept on
A typical Bath marathon with many in with chances, however Precious Mystery was most impressive when winning last time and this one gets our vote ahead of Argonaut and Harlestone Linn. Alan King's six-year-old landed a Warwick event for the second year running, clearing away through the final furlong for a comfortable success. In this sort of mood she is very hard to ignore. Argonaut was a very talented three-year-old when trained by Sir Michael Stoute. He hasn't raced for over a year but if he retains most of his ability he could go well here despite top-weight. Harleston Linn showed plenty of promise last season and gets in here on a feather-weight. If fit following a six month break he could get into the frame at a decent price. Monte Cristo could be best of the remainder, but Precious Memory is at the top of her game and is hard to oppose.
Argonaut 33-1 (9-1) Started slowly, reluctant to race, always behind, last of 13, 37l behind Dower House (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Jan '05.
Irish Wolf (FR) 20-1 (8-8) Unplaced behind Amour Dore (8-10) at Chantilly 1m 3f hcp gd in June.
Eastborough (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Always in rear, last of 12, 37l behind Establishment (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcap (4) pol.
Precious Mystery (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (9-2) Prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on, won at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Screen Test (8-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Monte Cristo (FR) 4-1 (9-6) Broke well, soon steadied and held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Montosari (9-3) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-70 (5) std.
Shingle Street (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Soon tracking leader, lost place 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind I'll Do It Today (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f app hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Lowe Go 10-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 15l behind Humdinger (8-10) at Southwell 1m 6f clm (F) fbs in Sept '03.
Tavalu (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Whispering Death (8-4) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
Lets Try Again (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 8th and ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 39l behind Flexible Action (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn stk hvy in May '03.
Indian Chase 7-1 (8-6) In rear, ridden, outpaced over 6f out, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 12l behind Isa'af (9-2) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Business Traveller (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Prominent and keen, lost place after 2f, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out, last of 8, 32l behind Precious Mystery (9-2) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Garhoud 3-1 (8-12) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo sll (6) sft beating Josear (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Harlestone Linn 20-1 (7-12) Started slowly and stumbled soon after start, headway 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 3l behind Beauchamp Trump (8-9) at Goodwood 2m hcp 45-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Kayf Aramis 40-1 (7-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 6l behind Aristi (8-7) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Aylmer Road (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Behind, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 11l behind Bulwark (9-5) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
