soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, driven over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, pushed along 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong
mid-division, driven over 5f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, smooth progress 4f out, ridden when weakening 2f out
always in rear division
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, reminders over 5f out, soon behind
prominent, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, smooth progress over 2f out, quicken to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Velvet Heights was a rare first time out winner for trainer John Dunlop this season and as most of the yard's runners have improved for their first outing of the season, he is taken to defy a 5lb rise and follow up at the main expense of Wing Collar and Maneki Neko. The last mentioned should do better back over a more suitable trip than the 1m4f that he raced over last time and has solid place claims, although he may be a shade high in the weights at present. Gary Moore's Dundry made an encouraging reappearance and is entitled to improve for the run so he cannot be discounted, while Top Man Tee is probably best watched following some disappointing displays over hurdles of late. A market move for Sualda would be of interest, while Calatagan has a nice racing weight although a bigger threat may come from Wing Collar. Tim Easterby's gelding ended last season in good form and are among the winners at present so lack of a recent run need not be of concern but there was plenty to like about the way that Velvet Heights won at Kempton and he is taken to follow up.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 50-1 (8-2) Mid-division, headway 10f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 17, 7l behind Admiral (8-1) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf.
Motafarred (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Chased leaders on outside, outpaced 4f out, weakened final 2f, last of 6, 45l behind Hearthstead Wings (8-8) at Ripon 1m 4f stk (3) gd in Apr.
Wing Collar 5-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at York 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Viz (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Velvet Heights (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up behind, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Kempton 2m hcap (4) pol in Apr beating Archduke Ferdinand (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ski Jump (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Switched left start, held up behind, never dangerous, 13th of 15, 31l behind Maneki Neko (8-7) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Top Man Tee 9-1 (8-2) Raced wide behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on but never dangerous, 8th of 12, 5l behind Waterside (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Modaffaa 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong to press for 2nd near finish but no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Top Seed (8-7) at Bath 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Sualda (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led chasing group, effort to chase leading pair 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Bollin Thomas (10-5) at Epsom 1m 4f amt hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Greenwich Meantime (9-5) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcap (5) gd in Apr.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 4f out to track leaders, every chance over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Tilt (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Reluctant Suitor 11-8fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased winner and no extra from over 1f out, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Silvertown (9-10) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Indonesia 5-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Royal Flynn (8-9) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr '05.
Duroob 7-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden approaching 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 15, 7l behind Balwearie (8-5) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcap (5) gf.
Zaville 9-2 (8-4) Tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Papeete (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Sphinx (FR) 14-1 (9-2) Behind, headay and led over 3f out, headed and no extra over 1f out, 5th of 14, 7l behind Trance (9-8) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Dundry 14-1 (9-8) Held up behind, headway to chase leaders 2f out, not pace to challenge 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Trance (9-8) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Calatagan (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and kept on over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 8l behind Reluctant Suitor (8-3) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
