in touch, ridden 6f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, reminders soon after start, never on terms
held up, headway 4f out, led on bit inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, headway over 4f out, no further impression from over 2f out
soon led, headed over 5f out, weakened quickly
soon reminders, always behind
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 5f out, headed over 4f out, soon eased
always in rear
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
broke well, steadied into mid-division, headway over 5f out, led over 4f out, ridden from 2f out, headed inside final furlong
Hora, Stagecoach Emerald and Estate are the three to focus on in this handicap and the vote is given to Estate. The selection won well at Goodwood when last seen out, a run that signalled a welcome return to form. He does have a penalty for that success but he won quite cosily and with Jamie Spencer an eyecatching jockey booking he can go in again. Hora could be the fly in the ointment as she is a typical improver from the Sir Mark Prescott yard who has benefited from being upped in trip. However, she only just scored last time and we will narrowly pass her over today. Stagecoach Emerald won well here last time and he is upped in trip here which should not be a problem. He has tackled this trip once previously and he was only narrowly beaten at Southwell that day, so he has to enter calculations. Merrymaker and Dansmar both went close last time and are afforded respect, but this looks a good opportunity for Estate who can make it back-to-back wins.
Stagecoach Emerald 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Gamesters Lady (9-4) by 2l, 12 ran.
Merrymaker 10-1 (8-13) In rear and pushed along, headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Ballet Boy (9-2) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Estate 9-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft beating To Arms (11-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Snowberry Hill (USA) 33-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, pushed along 5f out, never in contention, 6th of 11, 22l behind Florimund (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept '06.
Dansimar 3-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Heights of Golan (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Ronsard (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, effort 5f out, never a danger, 10th of 14, 33l behind Diamond Key (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Al Moulatham 25-1 (9-6) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed approaching 2f out and weakened, 5th of 12, 15l behind Featherlight (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
My Portfolio (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 20l behind Atlantic Coast (8-0) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (5) gs in Jul.
Red Sun 33-1 (8-9) Held up, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Noora (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Hora 3-1 (8-3) Made all, ridden and hard pressed 2f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m 3yo hcp (5) gd beating Toboggan Lady (8-6) by a nk, 15 ran.
Jenny Soba 14-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 10l behind Pagan Starprincess (8-1) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Kitebrook 50-1 (7-12) Held up in touch, keen hold, lost place over 2f out, last of 5, 13l behind Sister Maria (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (6) gd.
Arabian Sun 33-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, driven to press leaders and every chance over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Go Amwell (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.