in touch, weakened 3f out, eased over 1f out
held up mid-division, chased leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, one pace
held up, never dangerous, weakened over 3f out
close up, ridden, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, keen, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
behind, soon pushed along, headway to go mid-division over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, eased over 1f out
refused to race
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
led until 8f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden, switched to outer, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, led 8f out, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
Quite a competitive contest where Press Express gets the nod ahead of Tribe, Jake The Snake and Phoebe Woodstock. The selection probably showed the best form on offer here when landing a 10f Newcastle handicap on similarly fast ground last time out. A 3lb rise for that short head success seems fair enough, and with proven stamina to call upon if that becomes an issue, plus the benefit of a winter break behind him, he can start well. Tribe has not set the world alight, but is bred to go well at three and this sort of trip should suit. Sir Michael Stoute's yard is in form, so any confidence would be significant. Jake The Snake has not been seen since a winning debut three seasons ago, but if straight enough he certainly merits respect, while Phoebe Woodstock will come on for her reappearance outing and will be much closer. But Press Express sets the standard and can go in again.
Cordier 14-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Kylkenny (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Press Express (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) In touch, headway when hit over head well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead just inside final furlong, held on, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct beating Del Mar Sunset (9-4) by a shd, 16 ran.
Phoebe Woodstock (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 12l behind Major Magpie (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Jake The Snake (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (9-0) Always prominent, led over 2f out, edged left and kept up to work inside final furlong, better for race, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (D) pol in Dec '03 beating Secret Place (9-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Wing Commander 20-1 (11-0) Slowly into stride, behind, driven 2f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 9l behind Corran Ard (11-2) at Sandown 1m hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Tribe 4-1 (8-5) Led to 9f out, stayed prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Top Seed (8-7) at Bath 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Olimpo (FR) 2nd of 14, 2l behind Abelthon at Mont-De-marsan 1m 2f mdn stk sft in Mar '04.
Custodian (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, hung left, no impression, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 3l behind Danger Zone (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
