tracked leading pair, smooth progress to lead over 2f out, ridden out final furlong
in touch, effort 3f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden along and headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, edged right when weakening approaching final furlong
led strong gallop, headed over 2f out, soon behind
held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out to chase winner final furlong
Nonrunner
ALEATRICIS was certainly in good form last summer and is chosen to go well on his reappearance after a long break ahead of Sir Royal and Step This Way. The pick landed a five timer before just missing out on the sixth win off a mark just a pound lighter last time. He had a meteoric rise up the weights but his success in a similar race on his penultimate start under a 12lbs penalty suggests he can score under his current burden. Sir Royal had a nice progressive profile last season and seems to be making his handicap debut off a good mark with some solid form supporting his chances. We shouldn't ignore anything from Mark Johnston's yard at the moment and Step This Way is another of his who should go well especially now at the same mark as his last winning rating. Film Festival has the talents to get involved here after a fair National Hunt Campaign but it could be this trip is a little on the sharp side for him so we turn our attentions to Aleatricis.
Demolition 20-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, headway on inner 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Redesignation (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Admiral (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) 15th of 17, well behind Greenwich Meantime (9-2) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May '07.
Step This Way (USA) 25-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway 3f out, not much room 1f out, one pace, 4th of 11, 4l behind Gordonsville (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Sir Royal (USA) 5-2 (9-0) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Ephorus (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Apr '08.
Aleatricis 5-4fav (9-5) Started very slowly, led after 1f, ridden 2f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Animator (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Film Festival (USA) 15-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Gordonsville (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up, headway on outside 3f out, driven, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 29l behind Giant Love (8-11) at Catterick 1m 4f hcap (5) gd in Oct.
