raced wide in touch, progress to chase leader over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish
very slowly away, lost all of 8 lengths, rushed up to join the rear of field over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
raced wide prominent, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
always in rear
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed towards finish
always in rear
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace
In a decent if tight handicap GAILY NOBLE just about lands the selection after a near miss off this mark last time, with Alfresco looking a real danger and Stanley Goodspeed a likely player at bigger odds. Despite being under top-weight the selection ran a really decent race when just beaten by Starluck at Kempton last time out. He's won his only start over course and distance and with most of the leading protagonists needing to prove weight carrying ability he looks the leading light. Alfresco got up late over course and distance last time out when five pounds better off. He's still weighted well enough under this new mark and the late nature of his score might make him hard to re-assess for the handicapper. Stanley Goodspeed races from just out of the handicap but also won his only course and distance start. He followed that up with a victory over seven and with his last two efforts better than the bare result suggested the horse looks weighted for minor prize claims. Dingaan was a winner of his last start but has it to prove under this mark as does Charlie Smirke while Tous Les Deux has the capability to surprise and could be another for place money. A tough but decent start to a fabulous day and Gaily Noble looks the one to get us off to a winning start.
Gaily Noble (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Chased leading pair, led well over 1f out, ridden and kept on until headed and not pace of winner final 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Starluck (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Dingaan (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, slightly hampered just over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Dinner Date (7-13) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Den's Gift (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leader until over 4f out, ridden to chase leader again 2f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Alfresco (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden well over 1f out, headway on outside and stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Stand Guard (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Longoria (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Took keen hold early, held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 22l behind Clowance (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo fll lst stsk (1) gd in May '08.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Soon led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, rallied inside final furlong, caught post, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Jake The Snake (8-11) by ns, 5 ran.
Tous Les Deux 7-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in last pair, headway on inside over 1f out, chased leading pair inside final furlong until no extra final 75 yards, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Prince Namid (8-5) at Lingfield 6f clm stks (6) pol.
Charlie Smirke (USA) 4-1fav (9-1) Held up, towards rear, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, challenged going well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well driven out, won at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating I Confess (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Kidlat 7-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Cheers For Thea (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Bennelong 11-2 (8-10) Raced wide, prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 27l behind Trans Sonic (8-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Stanley Goodspeed 5-1 (8-11) Raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 8, 1 1/4l behind Sapphire Prince (8-4) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Alfresco 7-1 (8-6) Dwelt, raced keenly, held up in touch, headway on inside going well to track leaders 2f out, ridden to lead final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Pegasus Again (9-4) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
