chased winner, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on from last no impression
in touch, weakened from 6th
held up, weakened from 7th
chased leaders, led after 4 out, ridden from 3 out, mistake last, headed flat, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish
always towards rear
held up towards rear, weakened from 7th
always behind, weakening when hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead flat
chased leaders, in 5th and weakening when blundered 3 out
behind from halfway, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
held up, weakened from 7th
chased leaders, took closer order 6th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to chase winner towards finish
always behind
always behind
in touch, weakened 7th
always towards rear
in touch, weakened 7th
mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out
A wide open contest gets proceedings underway and there is very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Nortonthorpe Lad,Topaz Lady and Smart Man and the tentative vote is given to Topaz Lady. The selection had every chance until unshiping behind Dickie Lewis last time out and off the same mark under similar conditions here she looks the one to be on. Nortonthorpe Lad rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Beau Largesse granted he is rising in the weights but he won with a little in hand and he will not be far away. Smart Man is another that could go well on his latest second behind Native Coral but he again looks vulnerable off this mark. Oleolat was doing all his best work at the finish when second behind Glad Big last time so should be suited by this longer trip. Named At Dinner has dropped to a handy mark and could go well if on a going day but that is a big if and in a race where few can be ruled out Topaz Lady gets our vote.
Topaz Lady (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to dispute lead when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Smart Man 10-1 (10-6) Prominent, led briefly approaching 4 out, soon ridden, one pace, 2nd of 16, 16l behind Native Coral (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Crackleando 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place, behind 5th, headway 3 out, ridden, kept on well from next, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Frankincense (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, stayed on well approaching last, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Beau Largesse (10-11) by 4l, 16 ran.
Pekan One 25-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division on outer, weakened from 4 out, 12th of 16, 25l behind Lady Steppes (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 frm in Oct.
Oleolat (FR) 15-2 (10-13) In rear, headway 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Glad Big (11-6) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Bankalan (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Towards rear for most, never a factor, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Fantastic Star (10-5) at Sligo 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 gd in Jun '06.
Dalawan 40-1 (11-7) Disputed lead until headed 7th and stayed close up until ridden and weakened 4 out, 9th of 14, 43l behind Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Miss Morelli (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, keen early, led approaching 4, ridden 3 out, headed flat, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 4l behind Nicozetto (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Tobesure (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Mid-division, reminders 7th, behind from next, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Alfabet Souk (10-1) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Contendo 17-2 (11-5) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden and weakened from last, 4th of 14, 24l behind Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
False Trail 12-1 (9-11) Slowly away, always behind, 10th of 18, 31l behind Pelo Du Bief (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Millie The Filly 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, no impression from next, 7th of 14, 15l behind Alfabet Souk (10-1) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
The Cliffe (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 10th of 16, 34l behind Imaalhall (9-13) at Down Royal 2m cnd hcp hdl gs in Dec.
Quinntowin (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Towards rear, moderate 14th 5 out, some headway to moderate 8th 3 out, stayed on same pace to 5th last, kept on, 4th of 19, 39l behind Mr Aussie (11-8) at Down Royal 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-100 hvy.
Named At Dinner 9-2 (9-11) Always towards rear, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Treasured Memories (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Baby Sister 14-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders until lost place 6th, soon ridden and beaten, 7th of 13, well behind Rosie All Over (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Athollbrose (USA) 10-1 (12-0) A bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Fiftyfive Degrees (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd, 17 ran.
Galahad (FR) 150-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged next, every chance until ridden and no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Alfabet Souk (10-1) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Covey (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division, 6th halfway, moderate 6th and no impression 3 out, left moderate 5th 2 out, no danger, 5th of 16, 29l behind Mondo (10-10) at Thurles 2m ldy hcp hdl hvy in Jan.
