tracked leaders, challenged over 1f out, not quicken
led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on
held up, struggling over 3f out, tailed off
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, ridden final furlong, one pace
held up towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, lost place over 1f out
held up, kept on on outer over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, challenged well over 1f out, soon weakened
held up mid division, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, driven out
chased leaders, weakened 3f out
STARSTRUCK PETER is taken to complete the hat-trick at the main expense of Barodine and Zalkani. The selection has a penalty for his win last time out when he beat Sand Repeal, but he seemed to score with plenty in hand that day and he still looks as though he could be one step ahead of the handicapper. Barodine rates as the main danger as he has been in good form, but there is a question mark over whether or not this trip will bring out the best in him and on that basis we are prepared to take him on. Zalkani returns to the scene of his last win and he will not be inconvenienced by this slightly longer trip. However, he is thoroughly exposed and he may have to settle for some place money today. Adage is a course and distance winner and she wasn't beaten far at Kempton last month. If she can build on that then she is another who could be capable of making the frame. However, there may be more to come from Starstruck Peter and he is taken to get his head in front again.
Smooth As Silk (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f, 8th of 10, 9l behind Venir Rouge (9-7) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Starstruck Peter (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Made all, in command when edged left over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating Sand Repeal (9-4) by 4l, 8 ran.
Zalkani (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Held up behind mid-division, no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, not troubled leaders, 5th of 13, 5l behind Mixing (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f (6) pol in Jun.
Great Quest (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 17, 6l behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf in Sep '07.
King's Fable (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Steadied start, towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Swords (8-8) at Wolverhampton 2m app hcp (6) pol in Jul '08.
Swords 12-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden 3f out, outpaced from over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Dazzling Begum (8-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Barodine 7-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Ensnare (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Follow The Dream 33-1 (9-7) Steadied start, settled in rear, headway wide well over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, finished well, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 5l behind Haafhd Time (8-7) at Kempton 1m 4f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Jun.
Ready To Crown (USA) 7-2fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, 3 lengths clear over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 14, 1l behind Lytham (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Adage 6-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Star Of Pompey (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Munching Mike (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, struggling final 2f, 8th of 12, 18l behind Star Of Pompey (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Dot's Delight 9-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 14l behind Free Tussy (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Cecina Marina 33-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 24l behind Master Nimbus (9-4) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
