steadied in rear, headway over 2f out, weakening when short of room over 1f out
tracked clear leader, effort 2f out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, took closer order over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
held up in mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, progress over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon challenged, just held on
dwelt, behind, driven over 3f out, headway when hung right over 1f out, never on terms
held up in touch, hard ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
led, strong pace, 6 lengths clear before halfway, headed over 2f out, soon faded
behind, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed
Another competitive race where BULLET MAN can continue the great run of form for Messrs Fahey and Hanagan, while Charlie Cool and Rosbay are among the dangers. The last-named is 6lbs lower than when going close to winning here over course and distance a couple of seasons ago and appears to retain most of that ability. He has shown his best form when there is cut in the ground, although he does have a fast ground win to his name, and with the yard going well he is not dismissed lightly. Charlie Cool ran well in defeat at Musselburgh on Friday and is another from an in-form yard. He goes well over this trip and from the same mark is definitely short-list material. Billy Dane has stamina to prove over this far, while Russian George and Granston are on very competitive marks and would not be surprise winners. Handicap debutant Oneofapear should be watched in the market for a shrewd yard, after an easy Hamilton maiden win, and in a race where we could pick half a dozen and still not come up with the winner, we hope that Bullet Man can win the shootout.
City of The Kings (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up, never on terms, 9th of 10, 12l behind Mabait (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Oct.
Billy Dane (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Soon led, ridden and hard pressed 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Granston (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Led 8f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Dangerous Midge (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Oneofapear (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Made virtually all, ridden well over 1f out, left clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Sep beating Passkey (8-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Russian George (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Dwelt, behind, headway over 3f out, hung left approaching final furlong, stayed on well, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Follow The Flag (8-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf.
Bullet Man (USA) 12-1 (8-5) Led, strongly pressed 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 15, 6l behind Alainmaar (9-10) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
Charlie Cool 11-2 (9-3) With leader, led over 3f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Sand Tiger (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Rosbay (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Russian George (9-2) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
