in touch, ridden along over 2f out, not much room when weakening approaching final furlong
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
steadied at start, held up towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
dwelt, always behind
held up, headway over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, edged left, ran on final furlong
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
always rear division
prominent, effort when squeezed for room over 1f out, ran on towards finish
COMPTON'S ELEVEN gets the nod here with Bravely and Turn Me On as the alternatives. The selection has been the runner up at Lingfield at the last two times of asking losing out by just the smallest of margins last time. He goes a furlong further here today, the going should suit and the low draw should see him snatch his fist victory of the year. Tim Easterby's Bravely is relatively unexposed in this country but fared well at Catterick last time and showed plenty of promise on his return from a five month absence. The gelding is still on a mark lower than his last win and should at least make the frame. Turn Me On makes a return to the turf after a six month break. The six-year-old has sufficient speed and he is clearly versatile and should he continue his from of last year he can at least make the minors here. The rest offer very little in the way of recent good form. No Grouse, who hasn't won since last summer, ran well last time out but is a little unreliable so should be of no concern to our selection Compton's Eleven.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Shotley Mac (8-4) at Catterick 7f hcap (4) gs in Oct.
Compton's Eleven 13-8fav (9-4) Close up, ridden to lead narrowly entering final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 4, ns behind Cornus (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
White Deer (USA) 7-2 (8-10) Tracked winner and keen, lost place over 4f out, no impression from well over 1f out, 6th of 7, 7l behind Royal Dignitary (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Bravely (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In rear, headway 3f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Malcheek (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Dream Express (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 12l behind Downhill Skier (8-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Turn Me On (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Bold Marc (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcap (5) gs in Oct.
Mey Blossom 11-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Quest For Success (8-9) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
H Harrison (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Malcheek (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
No Grouse 16-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Malcheek (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Diamond Lass (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, no extra from over 1f out, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Giant Love (9-3) at York 7f 2yo mdn (3) gf in Sep '07.
Sawpit Sunshine (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, raced keenly, every chance 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 16, 8l behind Master of Arts (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in May.
