raced wide in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, led, narrowly headed 2 out, still every chance last, weakened flat
took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, struggling next, eased from 2 out, tailed off
chased leading pair, ridden after 3 out, weakened and hit 2 out
mid-division, hit 7th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
took keen hold, held up in last pair, effort and driven between last 2, no impression when mistake last
held up in last pair, smooth headway on inside before 2 out, cruised up on bit to track leaders approaching last, quickened between horses to lead flat, not extended
chased leaders, effort approaching 2 out, every chance last, kept on into 2nd run-in but never any chance with winner
chased leaders, awkward 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly 2 out, kept narrow advantage until headed and not pace of winner flat and soon lost 2nd
Nonrunner
ZABEEL PALACE is taken to land the hat-trick at the main expense of Vincenzio and Pugilist in an interesting opener. Pugilist looks thoroughly exposed over hurdles and is yet to score, but his latest effort was his best to date, finishing a close runner-up at Bangor. Time will tell how good a contest that was, but his previous efforts suggest a place is the best he can hope for. Likewise, Vincenzio had shown little before getting up close home at Uttoxeter last time, though his overall level of form looks better. However, a 7lb penalty may prove prohibitive. Wins at Fontwell and Plumpton have been achieved with real authority by Zabeel Palace and it is hard to see how a 7lb rise in his rating is going to stop him landing this nice prize. He was not asked a serious question on his latest outing and Barney Curley has clearly been able to rekindle some of his old ability. Zabeel Palace looks a class above the opposition.
Ovthenight (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 17l behind Carrolls Cross (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Sparrow Hills (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, 7th of 11, well behind Quinz (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Miss Phoebe (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, mistake 1st, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 22l behind Simply Blue (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Alaghiraar (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Chased winner to 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, well behind Mr Gardner (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Vincenzio (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Prominent, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Towcester 2m 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) gd beating Classic Fly (11-1) by nk, 15 ran.
Digger Gets Lucky (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, ridden after 5th, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Hippodrome (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Zabeel Palace 10-3fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, challenged travelling strongly 3 out, led on bit 2 out, hit last with hind legs, ridden flat, soon asserted, won at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf beating Manjam (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Karasakal (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Prominent in chasing group, driven along 4 out, weakened quickly next, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Earth Dream (9-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Dar Es Salaam 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Earth Planet (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar '08.
Pugilist 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, not fluent last, kept on but always held, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Qianshan Leader (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd.
