led after 1f, 12 lengths clear after 7f, stayed on strongly 2f out, ridden out
led 1f, stayed prominent, driven and stayed on final 2f, not trouble winner
pulled hard in 4th, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
held up in rear, ridden and one pace over 2f out
held up in 3rd, outpaced over 2f out, kept on again final furlong, not trouble leaders
held up in rear, kept on under pressure over 1f out, nearest finish
held up behind, hard ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, tailed off
After some consistent performances, topweight Elgria has risen steadily in the weights and, while the gelding has to be respected again, the chances are that the handicapper now has his measure. A similar comment also applies to the Terry Mills-trained Bid For Fame, who looks a little high at present. Martin Pipe's runners always warrant respect and the chances are that his representative, Dubai Seven Stars, is better than recent form figures suggest. However, this is most likely to go to one of the three last time out winners in the line up. Of them Thorntoun Gold, who carries a 6lb penalty for his recent win at Windsor, is not certain to get the trip, a comment that also applies to Hattington. The TEAMtalk vote then goes to John Dunlop's King Eider. Less exposed than most of these, especially over this distance, the son of Mtoto won with something in hand at Brighton last time and, with improvement to come for the longer distance, he looks the one to be on.
