in rear far side group, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
in stands side group, stayed on entering final furlong, no impression
led far side group and overall leader, ridden and headed by far side group 1f out, no extra
towards rear stands side group, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on far side group
tracked leader far side group, weakened over 2f out
led stands side group, headed by stands side group inside final furlong, soon weakened and eased
towards rear on outer stands side group, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader far side group, led farside group and overall leader 1f out, kept on well
towards rear stands side group, headway over 1f out, led stand side group inside final furlong, no chance with far side winner
slowly into stride, towards rear stands side group, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on
chased leader stands side group, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear far side group, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders stands side group, weakened final furlong
in touch stands side group, pushed along 3f out, edged right over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in mid-division far side group, weakened over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong
Kevin Ryan won this race last year so ESPRIT DE MIDAS is our call in this competitive affair with Mrs Penny and Legal Legacy worthy of inclusion upon the shortlist. Esprit De Midas is without the blinkers that accompanied his most recent run though the handicapper has dropped him by a couple of pounds since we last saw him. Drying ground would prove very helpful. Jeremy Gask has done well in recent weeks so the booking of Paul Hanagan aboard Mrs Penny is interesting. The mare has not shown a lot on Wolverhampton's polytrack surface though had been tried at listed level back in Australia. Legal Legacy ran creditably enough on seasonal reappearance. The drop to six is a questionmark. Turnkey is probably at his best with a little more dig in the ground. Bond City has plenty of weight at present so may be best watched. Pearly Way would be thrown in some of his old form but looked to have lost his way badly for his previous trainer. Haajes was easy to back on seasonal reappearance and ran accordingly. Stuart WiIlliams has only one runner at the meeting so Earlsmedic is very much respected in the market. Maze has taken on better opposition in the past while Van Bossed could be noteworthy at longer odds as he has traditionally run well on his first start of the campaign. Esprit De Midas is chanced in a race where few can be ruled out.
Esprit de Midas 4-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, hard driven and effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Harlech Castle (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (0-90) (3) fbs in Feb.
Haajes 22-1 (7-13) Soon pushed along in rear, kept on never nearer, 9th of 18, 6l behind Kaldoun Kingdom (9-3) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Mar.
Bel Cantor 3-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden halfway, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Onceaponatime (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Mrs Penny (AUS) 17-2 (8-4) Held up, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 6l behind Imprimis Tagula (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Frognal (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 19, 32l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Mandurah (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Go Go Green (8-9) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct.
Earlsmedic 13-2 (8-11) Chased clear leading pair, ridden over 1f out, soon not quicken and no impression, 5th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Nickel Silver (9-4) at Kempton 5f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Bond City (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 22l behind Conry (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Turnkey 20-1 (9-5) Behind far side group, soon pushed along, never dangerous, 13th of 24, 3 1/2l behind Baldemar (9-5) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gd in Sep.
Pearly Wey 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, never able to challenge, last of 10, 12l behind Fathsta (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Legal Legacy 12-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, soon every chance, kept on one pace, 5th of 19, 6l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Favourite Girl (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) In rear, weakened 2f out, 12th of 15, 23l behind Conry (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Van Bossed (CAN) 20-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 17, 24l behind Without Prejudice (9-2) at York 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep.
Maze (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Took keen hold in mid div, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 6l behind Ithinkbest (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Signore Momento (IRE) 3-1fav (8-11) Soon struggling in rear, last of 7, 12l behind Spitfire (9-4) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 50-1 (8-11) Slowly away, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 9l behind Tiddliwinks (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
