slowly into stride, soon in touch, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and lost place over 3f out
held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
disputed lead until led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on well for 2nd
led after 1f, disputed lead to over 2f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong
held up towards rear, some late progress final 2f, never dangerous
left stalls very slowly and going well in rear, always struggling, tailed off
held up in touch to over 5f out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off
slowly into stride, behind, headway to chase leaders 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
held up in touch until weakened 3f out
slowly into stride and always behind
held up towards rear and well behind, stayed on final 2f, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
held up, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on well
prominent to over 6f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
This is unlikely to be the strongest of betting heats and only a tentative nomination is given to Larad, who edges preference over Quel Fontenailles, who is an old rival that will not make this an easy task. Neither will Most Saucy and Bretton, who will both be staying on when a few of the rest have had enough. Bretton has gone well for today's jockey and is capable of getting involved in his current frame of mind. However, he can be a law unto himself and needs everything to drop just right on the day. Most Saucy has won off similar marks in the past and can never be ruled out at this level. However, she has only forced her head in front once since July 2003 and remains a risky proposition for win only purposes. Quel Fontenailles is closely matched with the selection and will not go down without a fight. However, Larad is 2lb better off at the weights from the last time they met and has every chance of reversing the form today.
Quel Fontenailles (FR) 7-1 (8-9) Always behind, under pressure 5f out, no progress, 9th of 10, 14l behind Tromp (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Larad (IRE) 17-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Blue Patrick (10-6) at Beverley 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gd.
Squirtle Turtle 16-1 (8-13) Led after 1f to over 4f out, weakened over 2f out and eased final furlong, 8th of 11, 26l behind Ulshaw (8-5) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Most-Saucy 4-1 (9-6) Towards rear, never a danger, 9th of 14, 7l behind Vandenberghe (8-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp (F4) pol in Oct.
Raheel (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) In touch, hampered after 1f, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 13, 16l behind Barton Sands (9-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Apr.
Compton Eclaire (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Feed The Meter (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) gd.
Bretton 11-2 (8-12) Held up, ridden halfway, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 1m 4f stk (7) fbs in Apr beating Stravmour (9-3) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mr Belvedere 25-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, switched right approaching final furlong, running on but edging right, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Little Richard (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Mar.
