tracked winner, ridden 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, held up behind, ridden, hung left from over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden, outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, one pace, no impression final furlong
close up on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, headway to chase winner 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
dwelt, in rear, ridden, lost touch over 4f out, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, ridden, lost place 4f out, rallied final 2f, no impression
held up, effort when not clear run over 2f out, switched right, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish, not reached winner
made all, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on well
A weak maiden and the tentative vote goes to Lochiel ahead of Star Of Angels and Snake's Head. The selection is one of the less exposed runners in the lineup and comes here on the back of a promising second at Hamilton. This will be the first time that he has ran away from Hamilton but proven on the ground he should run well. Dart is better than the bare result last time as he was badly hampered and eased down so another chance can be granted, whilst Ja Myford has been exposed as a moderate performer. Star Of Angels is yet to win in nine starts but he has run some fair races in defeat; he looks a typical Mark Johnston battler and ok with some cut in the ground, he is fancied to run well. Extalar is returning from a lengthy lay-off and his French form is hard to weight up, whilst Snake's Head looks a threat. John Dunlop's charge is another who is yet to win in nine starts but should once again run his race. Not a good race, and Lochiel is taken to score.
Etxalar (FR) (9-1) 5th of 12, 4l behind Hazem (9-1) at Longchamp 1m 4f clm in May '06.
Masra 4-5fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 6f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Option Money (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May (N.Hunt).
Geordie's Pool 9-2 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Bond Casino (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Golden Folly 16-1 (8-3) Held up in mid-division, headway under pressure on outside over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 12l behind Featherlight (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Ja Myford 12-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Treetops Hotel (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Lochiel 14-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway to challenge winner over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Loulwa (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gs in Jul.
Lyon's Hill Generous gelding out of 1m4f winner New Abbey.
Star Of Angels 11-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Compton Dragon (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Dart 13-2 (8-12) In rear, hampered inside final 4f, soon eased, tailed off, 9th of 12, 33l behind Top Tiger (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Snake's Head 8-1 (8-12) Led, ridden, headed inside final 2f, held when slightly hampered on rails over 1f out, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Thinking Positive (8-12) at Bath 1m 4f mdn stk (5) frm in Sept.
