dwelt, outpaced, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
with leader over 3f
went right start, close up, ridden halfway, every chance 1f out, stayed on
hampered start, virtually pulled up
with leader 4f, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, hampered start, headway to chase leaders halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong
hampered start, outpaced, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong
made most until ridden and headed inside final furlong
close up, ridden halfway weakened over 1f out
outpaced halfway
went left start, chased leaders until halfway
Nonrunner
From a shortlist of Alpaga le Jomage, Clipper Hoy, Chilly Cracker, Rasseem and Speed Dial Harry in an interesting nursery we will opt for Alpaga le Jomage. Spinning through what we see as the main runners of interest and, lightly raced, Blades Boy won a similar event at Wolverhampton from a six-pound lower mark two runs ago but holds claims with his apprentice rider taking off seven pounds. Clipper Hoy showed improved from when tried on the all-weather for the first time last time, a run that came at Lingfield, and he would appear to be reasonably handicapped. Turn On The Style won his maiden at Catterick but then disappointed next time. However, with first-time blinkers fitted, he cannot be ruled out of things. Chilly Cracker has won on Turf from a mark of 64, and also won his maiden here, so is another to consider from a rating of 70. Rasseem cost 140,000 guineas and, now with Michael Hammond, could go well on his first try on this surface, having shown promise on Turf. Speed Dial Harry has a visor refitted today after running three times without it, so expect better from him too, while Alpaga le Jomage ran in a Group 2 race in his last try on Turf, and returned from a break to be narrowly thwarted by Rancho Cucamonga in a course claimer over a furlong further than today's trip. There is no doubt that, if he is at his best and puts his best foot forward, he ought to win. Nova Tor is another to have displayed a decent level of form, although she does seem best with some cut in the ground. I can hear the groans as I write and say it, but I am going to give Alpaga le Jomage another chance and, accordingly, he gets the vote.
