prominent, ridden over 2f out, not much room approaching final furlong, driven and kept on same pace
in touch, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
took keen hold behind leaders and stumbled after 1f, held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden along over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
pulled very hard in mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon behind
slowly into stride, always rear division
slowly into stride, behind, headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
held up, ridden along and headway on inner 2f out, ran on final furlong, held
made all, shaken up 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong
towards rear, headway on inner 3f out, never trouble leaders
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
always rear division
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, no extra final furlong
Sugar Ray has the form to win again at the expense of Danili Dancer and Watamu. The selection has won two from six to date scoring at Windsor last summer and returned to the winners enclosure at Bath last time out. The only negative is that the handicapper has raised him eight pounds for his troubles so he now has his stiffest task to date. That said he does look progressive and as he is still lightly raced we feel he still has more to give. Dansili Dancer has a decent strike rate winning five from nineteen. He won four of those last season and as a result the handicapper has punished him. He did catch the eye though when third of fifteen at Haydock on his lastest outing suggesting that a win off his current mark is within his grasp. Watamu is another to note after winning his last two races on the all weather at Lingfield. He now races off a career high mark for his efforts and it does remain to be seen how well those races work out and for that reason he is treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Sugar Ray.
Watamu (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on under pressure, all out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol beating Mr Aviator (9-4) by 1l, 6 ran.
Dansili Dancer 20-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Regal Flush (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept.
Furmigadelagiusta 10-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Soapy Danger (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f stk (2) sft in Mar.
Pippa Greene 9-2fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear and soon pushed along, headway over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 21, 6l behind Malt Or Mash (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Nov.
Sugar Ray (IRE) Evensfav (9-4) Soon led and set steady pace, quicken up well 3f out, ran on, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr beating Mister Right (8-1) by 4l, 5 ran.
Lepido (ITY) 14-1 (8-12) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, switched right and effort over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 8l behind Salford Mill (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in May '07.
Rayhani (USA) 7-1 (9-2) Edged right start, in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Ajaan (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 11th of 14, 8l behind Philatelist (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Pevensey (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, weakened 2f out, 10th of 16, 15l behind Cabinet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr.
Luberon 4-1 (9-3) Led to final furlong, no extra when headed, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Escape Route (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Bergonzi (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Harry Tricker (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Peruvian Prince (USA) 40-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, one pace final 2f, 8th of 16, 13l behind Cabinet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr.
Basalt (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division, effort when forced wide bend entering straight, no further progress, 7th of 13, 6l behind Maslak (9-4) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Birkside 7-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Prince Sabaah (9-6) by a ns, 12 ran.
Gordonsville 8-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 22l behind Puy d'Arnac (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Wing Collar 14-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 17, 14l behind Bulwark (9-4) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gd.
