led to halfway, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
mid-division, switched left and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, hung left, kept on
in touch, ridden when short of room over 1f out, weakened
in touch, effort over 1f out, faded final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase leaders and every chance over 1f out, one pace
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, ridden and some progress halfway
prominent on far side, led halfway, ridden and weakening when headed inside final furlong
mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, every chance 1f out, faded
in touch, switched left over 2f out, ridden and kept on
in touch, ridden and weakened halfway
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders soon after, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened over 1f out
Linda Green, Seneschal and Dunn Deal all look viable options on the formbook and our vote goes to Linda Green. A proven soft ground performer, she has had her battles with the handicapper but there was no disgrace in finishing behind Cashel Mead last time out as that rival went on to win again at Nottingham on Saturday. Seneschal was in good form on the all-weather throughout the winter but was disappointing at Newcastle last time out. That said, a good draw has been forthcoming and the market is dutifully examined. Dunn Deal beat Cashel Mead over six furlongs at Warwick. The race fell right for him on that day and it is likely that followers of Dunn Deal will see their charge attempting to power through in the closing stages. Elgin Marbles had bits and pieces of form for Richard Hannon but has shown little for new connections. Digital invariably places in handicaps but has ground concerns this afternoon. Cesar Manrique won a maiden here under similar conditions and while he has not troubled the judge since - he could be off a winable mark. On the negative side, the draw has not been particularly kind. Ex Ed Dunlop Tadjil is less exposed than most and with Milton Bradley now taking control - it would be no surprise to see any support for him in the market. Plenty of numbers but few with realistic chances and we plump for Linda Green.
Extremely Rare (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Led, hung left, headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sir Desmond (8-12) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Brigadore 20-1 (8-11) Held up, never near leaders, 15th of 16, 41l behind Fire And Rain (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept.
Dunn Deal (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Warwick 5f hcap (6) gf beating Cashel Mead (9-6) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Seneschal 4-1fav (8-11) Prominent until weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Sake (8-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Cesar Manrique (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Heldup towards rear, headway approaching final furlong, finished well to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Spanish Ace (9-4) at Warwick 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Savile's Delight (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind True Magic (9-4) at W'hampton 6f handicap (6) pol in Mar.
Tribute (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride and soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to challenge over 1f out, one pace after, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dizzy In The Head (8-13) at Hamilton 5f hcap (6) gf.
Linda Green 9-2 (9-2) Held up, ridden, headway from 2f out, chased winner 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Cashel Mead (9-1) at Bath 6f fll hcp (5) gs.
Gracie's Gift (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, nk behind Blakeshall Quest (9-1) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Apr.
