tracked leaders, effort on outside 2 out, ridden and outpaced in 3rd when switched left before last, no impression flat
made all, ridden before 2 out, soon hard pressed, held on well under pressure flat (all flights in back straight omitted)
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, outpaced in 5th before 2 out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader until outpaced in 4th before 2 out, soon weakened
behind, outpaced before 2 out, never dangerous, tailed off
tracked leaders, effort on inside approaching 2 out, soon challenged, ridden before last, kept on and every chance flat, held towards finish
Stephen Hero and Song Light finished first and second at Fakenham on the first day of the month and placings should be confirmed despite the runner-up having a 7lb swing in the weights as the winner looks progressive. Bennachie was a long way behind that day and needs to display massive improvement to get involved and My Direction is far more interesting on debut for John Ferguson. He showed plenty of promise in two Polytrack maidens last year and it's quite a surprise to see attentions turned to hurdling as he looked capable of finding the winner's enclosure on the level. NORDIC QUEST did well when runner-up to the progressive Huff And Puff last time, conceding 7lb to the winner, and has since filled the minor placing on the level in the Sandown handicap won by Chain Of Events. He may just have too much class for his opponents back over timber.
Nordic Quest (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Huff And Puff (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Stephen Hero (IRE) 9-4 (10-11) Made all, ridden and stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (4) gd beating Song Light (10-11) by 7l, 11 ran.
Bennachie (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, struggling halfway, soon behind, 8th of 11, well behind Stephen Hero (10-11) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Danger In The Park 150-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden 6th, lost touch next, pulled up after, in a race won by Discay (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in May, 7 ran.
Dubai Celebration 12-1 (9-5) Keen prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, well behind Maybeme (8-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May (flat).
Finish The Story (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Well off the pace towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 5th, tailed off 4 out, 7th of 13, 42l behind Rolling Maul (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Teajaybe (USA) 20-1 (11-0) Waited with last of the 5, 4th after 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 14l behind Discoteca (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo hdl gf in May '12.
Sir Note (FR) (10-3) 3rd of 7, 8l behind Winner Des Places (10-7) at Dieppe(FR) 2m 1f 3yo hdl gs in Aug.
Song Light 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, headway to chase winner 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Stephen Hero (10-11) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Mill Run 66-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened halfway, 9th of 10, well behind Jukebox Melody (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov '10.
My Direction 11-4 (9-5) Led after 1f, headed over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Hamelin (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep (flat).
