slight lead and set fast pace headed after 4 out weakened quickly
pressed leader, led after 4 out, drew clear approaching last, ran on strongly
held up, still plenty to do from 2 out, strong run flat to take 2nd near finish but no chance with winner
pulled hard in touch, headway to track leaders from 3rd, chased winner approaching 3 out, led brielfy between last two, wandered under pressure, no extra flat
held up, headway from 4, close up when hit 3 out soon weakened
held up, headway from 4th, close up when hit 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
mistake 3rd and always behind
took keen hold and held up in rear, headway 4 out, one pace and no chance when slightly hampered flat
chased leading pair, mistake 3rd, weakened and behind from next, soon tailed off
tailed off and behind, some headway under pressure 3 out soon beaten
A race named after one of the great jockeys of the modern era, Adrian Maguire, can go to Mistanoora, who just gets our vote ahead of Translucid. The selection looked very good when winning a decent novice event at Sandown in February and has run well in very good company since, including here in May. This is his first attempt in handicap company but he could be a good prospect for the season. Translucid, from the Christian von der Recke stable - and the German-based handler has a good record with his raiders to these shores - was also decent as a novice. He ended last season with a good sixth in a Cheltenham handicap and looks the type to win his share of contest this season. The French Furze is very useful on his day but the downside to his chances is that he carries topweight and has a 218-day absence to overcome. However, he can also run fresh. Val de Fleury comes here in very good heart but now races off a mark of 121, which will make life tougher. He is a pound worse off today with Saorsie for the short head he beat him at Newton Abbot in September. Overall, that is not exceptional form so, with the bottom six, including Saorsie, racing from just out of the handicap (excluding riders' allowances), and with Pelouse looking nothing out of the ordinary based on what he has so far achieved, we will look to the top end of the wieghts for our selection. Mistanoora, who could well pay to follow this year whatever happens today, could be the one and, accordingly, gets our vote, but it was a close call with Translucid.
