led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
close up, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quickened towards finish
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, out paced over 2f out, kept on towards finish, just helped
pushed along in rear, headway to go in touch 7f out, chased leading pair over 5f out, led over 1f out, all out
in touch, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
McEldowney can outstay the likes of Monolith, Trance and York Cliff. This looks pretty open, but McEldowney shaped well enough when second at Pontefract on what his first outing since October, and has sound claims of going one better. Joe Fanning takes the mount, while Greg Fairley who has won six times aboard the Johnston inmate, stays loyal to Monolith, on whom he was successful at Hamilton last month. The longer trip and easier ground will suit him even better, and Len Lungo's nine-year-old is a major threat. Trance is a course winner but always seems to be staying on at the finish, while York Cliff takes a two-grade hike for his recent success over track and trip. Turbo and First Look are likely to need the run, as is Falpiase, and so we return to McEldowney as the answer.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) In touch, went 2nd over 9f out, led 8f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 17, 29l behind Greenwich Meantime (9-2) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf.
Monolith 4-1 (9-4) With leader, ridden well over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Balyan (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
McEldowney 6-1 (9-4) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, driven over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 11, 5l behind La Estrella (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcap (4) gd.
Falpiase (IRE) 15-2 (9-8) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 15, 13l behind Seabow (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft in Oct.
Trance (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Kayf Aramis (8-9) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Turbo (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-6) Held up, effort on outer 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 15l behind Magic Sting (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f clm (5) gs in Aug '05.
First Look (FR) 9-2 (8-8) Mid-division, headway from halfway, chased leaders 2f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Tilt (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May '06.
York Cliff 10-1 (8-11) Held up mid division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Ayr 1m 7f hcap (6) gs beating Kristiansand (8-6) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
