held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, pushed along to lead over 3f out, all out
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, just held close home
chased leaders, stayed on from over 1f out
led, headed over 3f out, outpaced over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
This is the time of year when David Barron's horses should be followed and Melvino can gain another victory for the yard, Champagne Shadow and Inside Story may provide most danger. The selection steps up in class having landed a competitive handicap over course and distance just after christmas. Against mainly out of form opponents this afternoon he should be capable of defying the penalty. Champagne Shadow saves his best form for Dunstall Park and although eleven pounds above his last winning mark he should still be involved in the finish. Inside Story meanwhile did well on his first attempt at this trip and can be expected to be in the shake up. Executive Paddy is lightly raced and hails from a very shrewd yard, he should be watched closely in the betting. The rest make little appeal and so it isn't too hard a task for Melvino and he can make it back to back victories.
Top Spec (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2f out, no extra and one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 4l behind Prime Contender (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Newnham (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Led after 2f, ridden, headed 3f out and soon weakened, 5th of 6, 19l behind Mr Excel (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Desert Leader (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, mid-division, in rear when not much room over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, never on terms, 8th of 9, 9l behind Chicken Soup (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 11-4 (10-0) Led, headed after 6f and remained in touch, regained lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Victory Quest (9-1) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Inside Story (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven along 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Turner's Touch (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Melvino 3-1fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden to lead and hung left from over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Key Partners (9-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Great Man (FR) (8-9) Never dangerous, 6th of 10, 4l behind Danaw (8-9) at Lyon Parilly 1m 4f hcp sft in Jun '04.
Always Baileys (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 4th of 6, 11l behind Pagano (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Psycho Cat 13-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never nearer, 6th of 10, 5l behind Final Tune (8-11) at Leicester 1m 3yo sll (6) gf in Jul.
Opera Writer (IRE) 10-3 (8-5) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 4l behind Alagon (8-8) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Executive Paddy (IRE) 18-1 (9-6) Prominent and keen, led after 1f, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened, last of 14, 18l behind Street Life (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Blushing Prince (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Held up and keen, headway over 8f out, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 10l behind Melvino (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
