mid-division, headway from 5th, ridden 2 out, went 2nd before mistake last, no chance with winner
held up in touch, mistake 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, clear when mistake last, easily
held up, always in rear, behind 5th
took keen hold, tracked leader until 3rd, ridden and weakened after 5th
mid-division, ridden and behind from 5th, pulled up after
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, jumped right and mistake 3 out when in modest mid-division place, soon well beaten
took keen hold, soon led, jumped right 1st, hit 3rd, went right 5th, headed after 2 out, no extra before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, mistake 3 out, weakened next
in touch until after 2nd, mistake 4th, behind after next
towards rear, mistake 1st and 2nd, ridden and behind 5th
mid-division, pushed along 5th, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th before last, never on terms
in rear, well beaten 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, never any chance
This opener revolves around whether last week's Ludlow scorer MANDY'S BOY can give the weight away to bumper winner Vodka 'n Tonic. We believe he can as this equally sharp course should play to his strengths and he has valuable experience on his side. Manjakani was a decent stayer on the Flat and is the type that John Ferguson normally does well with but his novices often need a run or two. Memphis Magic hinted at ability on Polytrack but may also need the experience.
Mandy's Boy (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, switched left before 2 out, switched right approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd beating Don Padeja (10-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Manjakani 33-1 (8-11) last of 12, well behind Fox Hunt (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Mar '12 (flat).
Speed Check (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Soon struggling in rear, lost touch 3rd, soon tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Huff And Puff (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Staff Sergeant 80-1 (11-5) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Cayman Islands (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '13.
Starfield 12-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader for 2f, tracked leader, went 2nd halfway until 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 19l behind Cactus Valley (9-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun (flat).
Strategic Action (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Jumped left, took keeen hold in rear, struggling 3rd, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Huff And Puff (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd, 13 ran.
Uiop 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 16l behind Minella Hero (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jul.
Vodka 'n Tonic (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Made all, soon clear, given breather 4f out, kicked on again over 2f out, kept on well, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Feb beating Inner Drive (11-2) by 4l, 7 ran.
Memphis Magic (GER) 11-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders on outside, steadied into mid-division after 2f, ridden and hanging right over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 9l behind Pretty Bubbles (9-2) at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Mr Fitzroy (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leading trio, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 22l behind Such A Legend (10-8) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Noble Bacchus (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Hanga Roa (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Ocean Power (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 23l behind Goldmadchen (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Mar (flat).
Painted Gold 66-1 (10-12) Led until before 3rd, led next until 5th, led 6th until before 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Carolina Wren (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Movementneverlies 50-1 (10-10) In rear when fell 4 out, in a race won by Supreme Present (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf, 14 ran.
