prominent, led over 7f out until 5f out, weakened over 3f out
in touch, improved over 5f out, weakened 2f out
held up, took keen hold, struggling over 7f out, tailed off over 4f out
behind, niggled along and raced awkwardly, came wide entering straight, stayed on insided final 2f, never dangerous
in touch, steadied 7f out, driven 5f out, soon responded to pressure, stayed on same pace final 2f
pressed leader, led over 8f out until 7f out, led over 5f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, cleared final furlong, stayed on well
led until over 8f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, headway over 8f out, chased winner over 4f out and every chance, ridden 2f out, beaten when edged right just over 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
Nonrunner
STAGECOACH EMERALD romped home by seven lengths last time and looks worth following ahead of Swords and Jackie Kiely. The selection can usually be relied upon to run well here and landed a course and distance event back in November. Given a three week break since, the gelding returns to race off a 7lb higher mark but might be able to defy the handicapper once more with conditions ideal and Toby Atkinson claiming 7lbs. Swords is another who goes well here and this one lost no caste in defeat behind Shadow's Lengthen last time, that horse having subsequently followed up under a penalty. All the seven-year-olds wins have come on artificial surfaces and despite being another 3lbs higher than when beaten last time today's extra couple of furlongs should suit and a big run is on the cards. Jackie Kiely is another exposed performer who likes it here and must have a chance of taking a hand in proceedings. The eight-year-old wasn't far behind Swords when the pair met in November and a 6lb swing in this ones favour should theoretically be enough to reverse those placings, although we¿re of the opinion that today's extra distance will be more to the advantage of the younger horse. Arctic Wings makes his debut here and so it remains to be seen whether the surface will suit this five-year-old but as one of the lesser exposed horses who has been running well over obstacles the Tony Carroll inmate must enter calculations, as does Russian Invader who has run well enough here in the past. Low grade stuff to start us off but Stagecoach Emerald is our idea of the winner and he gets the vote.
Russian Invader (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Led after 1f, headed over 6f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 11, 12l behind Caoba (9-1) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Swords 10-3fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened quickly over 2f out, 12th of 14, 25l behind Colourful Move (8-13) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Stagecoach Emerald 16-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, behind and pushed along 10f out, wide and headway into straight 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov beating Saute (9-1) by 7l, 14 ran.
Jackie Kiely 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, not clear run and lost place over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Merrion Tiger (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, last of 15, well behind Unawatuna (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Honorable Endeavor 9-2 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 7, 12l behind K'gari (8-6) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Altos Reales 11-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Astrolibra (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f app hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Aug.
River Danube 20-1 (8-10) Keen, tracked winner until 5f out, ridden, weakened 3f out, 6th of 7, 8l behind Royal Trooper (9-8) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov.
Terminate (GER) 25-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 15l behind Edas (10-8) at Musselburgh 1m 1f am hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Games (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led, headed after halfway, soon moderate 2nd, weakened from 5f out, 6th of 11, well behind Regal Obligation (10-13) at Downpatrick 2m 2f am hcp 47-65 gd in Aug.
