held up, steady headway 7f out, chased leader over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden to chase leader 4f out, weakened 3f out
led, ridden over 1f out, fading when headed inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, effort 3f out, keeping on when switched right 1f out
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 4f out
towards rear, ridden 4f out, stayed on
mid-division, headway over 4f out to go in touch, soon ridden and kept on well under pressure
always towards rear
in touch, ridden and weakened 5f out
prominent for 2f, soon in rear and never a danger
Lights Out is the pick ahead of Ionian Spring, with Sovereign Dreamer, Weet A Head and Factual Lad worth a mention as well. This is not the best of races, and the booking of Eddie Ahern for Lights Out catches the eye. Con Horgan's six-year-old was successful twice on the continent last autumn, but has shown nothing in three outings on these shores, including on his debut for his current stable at Kempton in March. However, that was over two miles which was surely stretching his stamina, and the drop back in trip at this lowly level should help improve his fortunes. Ionian Spring won a similar race to this at Chester last June and has since tackled better company, so although he is no spring chicken, a big run is in the offing. Sovereign Dreamer looks likely to try and make all, but will be a sitting duck for those coming from behind. Nevertheless, the drop back from 12 furlongs will be in his favour and he may hang on for a place at least. Weet A Head has gone off the boil but has won in such class in the past, while Factual Lad goes well here and will make his presence felt if it does not rain. For the winner though we return to Lights Out.
Ionian Spring (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway down outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 15, 2l behind Prince Samos (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Lights Out (DEN) 20-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, joined leader 6f out, soon lost pace and weakened rapidly 4f out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Llamadas (7-6) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Led until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Raza Cab (9-5) at Lingfield 1m clm (5) pol in Mar.
Financial Future 13-8fav (9-4) Held up behind leaders, led well over 2f out, ridden, edged right over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Mac's Elan (8-11) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp (6) sft.
Sovereign Dreamer (USA) 13-8fav (9-3) Led, ridden clear 2f out, faded and headed last stride, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Irish Ballad (8-4) at Brighton 1m 4f stk 0-60 (6) frm in Jul.
Arabian Moon (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, never a danger, 8th of 12, 20l behind Sea Map (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Weet A Head (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 16, 19l behind Sphinx (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (5) sft in Apr.
Cool Bathwick (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Held up, struggling 3f out, last of 11, 20l behind Bid For Fame (10-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Uncle Max (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Led, headed 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 25l behind Desert Royalty (9-5) at Epsom 1m 4f 3yo hcp (D) gd in Sept '03.
Zinging 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 2f, ridden and weakened 2f out, soon eased, last of 14, 23l behind Auentraum (9-6) at Kempton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Factual Lad 20-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and weakened 4f out, 12th of 13, 25l behind Scottish River (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
