chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never on terms
held up in touch, lost place over 3f out, soon beaten
held up towrds rear, headway over 2f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, ran on well
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon hard ridden and weakened
held up in touch, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led until over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
behind, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 6f out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place over 6f out, headway on inside over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
Nonrunner
Pretty desperate fare on offer in this which should make THE BLUE DOG's task of following up last week's victory at Kempton a little easier. He was having his first start since July on that occasion so there's a good chance he'll improve enough to defy his penalty. Visions Of Johanna is the only other recent winner in the field and he had Swords and Delagoa Bay behind over C&D last month before a poor effort over a shorter trip last time. Iguacu won on the turf at Goodwood last summer but hasn't raced since July and Port Hill has struggled to get involved since finishing fourth over track and trip in February.
The Blue Dog (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leader, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar beating Spartan Spirit (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Mahfal (FR) 5-2fav (8-11) Tracked leader until ridden over 3f out, lost place 2f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Lady Barastar (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Maid Of Meft 22-1 (9-2) Dwelt, always behind, last of 13, 50l behind River Dragon (9-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Flying Phoenix 11-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear and keen, headway 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Elspeth's Boy (9-0) at Redcar 1m sell stks (6) gd in Nov.
Visions of Johanna (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in touch over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Safwaan (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Mar.
Iguacu 11-4 (9-13) Chased leaders, chased winner 6f out until 3f out, lost 3rd well over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 22l behind Back To Paris (9-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
Port Hill 5-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear and keen, some headway from over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 10l behind Holden Eagle (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar.
Valiant Bee 50-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 11l behind Dreaming Of Rubies (8-9) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn fll (5) pol in Mar.
Swords 33-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders on outside, hung right 4f out, lost place over 3f out, behind when eased final 2f, last of 11, 42l behind Bilidn (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Delagoa Bay (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 13l behind Visions Of Johanna (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Mar.
Circus Polka (USA) 66-1 (8-10) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 14l behind Sky High Diver (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
