slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, effort over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch in 4th, pushed along over 6f out, weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, headway well over 2f out, ridden and kept on well over 1f out, no impression
held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, pushed along to lead over 1f out, kept on well
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on towards finish, not reached winner
tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, weakened 4f out, eased 2f out
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, in 3rd 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
STRIKEMASTER can cope with top weight in this company; Alloro and Amical Risks are others with the ability to hold their own at this level and complete the shortlist. Amical Risks was in good form on the all-weather during the winter but had no problems reverting to turf at Doncaster in March. A short break since April should have freshened him up and a bold show can be anticipated today. Alloro stays well and, having won over course and distance on his penultimate start, he has to merit an interest this afternoon. That race was a weak event, so a cautious approach is advised where the Joss Saville-trained gelding is concerned. Therefore, it can pay to take a chance that a slight ease in grade can provide Strikemaster with a formula for success and, having gone very close at Nottingham last time out; the gelding has fewer questions to answer than most of the rest.
Strikemaster (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Slowly into sride and ridden along early, in rear, headway on inside over 3f out, soon switched right, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd inside final furlong, unable to trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Rare Ruby (9-9) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Ferney Boy 7-2 (8-11) Soon pushed along in rear, headway on outer over 4f out to be in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 23l behind That'll Do Nicely (8-7) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Dechiper (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, switched left and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 13l behind George Adamson (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Humourous (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, pushed along over 5f out, never dangerous, last of 7, 21l behind Dramatic Solo (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 6f app hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Border Tale 16-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, lost place over 2f out, 11th of 15, 9l behind Sendali (9-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Jeu De Roseau (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Steadied soon after start, always behind, tailed off, 8th of 9, 47l behind Blue Hills (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Feb '08.
Alloro 15-2 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Tillietudlem (8-7) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Petella 4-1 (8-8) Held up behind, driven and outpaced 4f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Tillietudlem (8-2) at Musselburgh 1m 6f app hcp (6) gf in May.
Kathleen Cox (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 6f out, last of 13, 47l behind Coolnaharan (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Nov.
Media Stars 50-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, always towards rear, 13th of 14, 33l behind George Adamson (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Amical Risks (FR) 9-2 (8-9) In rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hung left and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Ghufa (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Pinewood Legend (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 25l behind Baan (9-7) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Knock Three Times (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Tillietudlem (8-7) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
