tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, driven out
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no real headway, never dangerous
held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon hung right, switched left well over 1f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division on outside, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon edged left and weakened
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no impression
in rear, ridden and switched right over 2f out, no impression
slowly into stride, soon switched right, behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
ridden over 2f out, always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression on front pair
These look a pretty exposed bunch so we'll chance MORE THAN MANY on his return; Rio Cobolo and Amethyst Dawn are just about the pick of the rest. Our selection returns to the track after a 466-day break and some 12lbs higher than when successful at Beverley. That was his sole start of 2009 though so indications are he's best caught fresh and the horse he thrashed into second that day progressed into a 70-rated performer, so this mark of 72 appears more than fair. Rio Cobolo is now a pound lower than when second here on his most recent visit so may well emerge as the main threat ahead of Tim Easterby's Amethyst Dawn, who looked a shade unfortunate two starts back but had no apparent excuse when disappointing off this mark at Beverley. She is weighted to confirm earlier superiority over Fadhb Ar Bith, although that one has since gone well at Pontefract over an inadequate six and should fare well. Scrapper Smith may be better over shorter and returns from a lengthy absence while Call Of Duty is building up a worrying run of placed efforts and his winning chance may've gone for now. Dickie Le Davoir, who stayed on without threatening the winner at Doncaster, may prefer this sort of test these days and Midwestern would be of interest if support arrived, but our inclination is to take a chance on More Than Many.
Fadhb Ar Bith (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Awkward leaving stalls, in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on well, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Orpsie Boy (9-5) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
More Than Many (USA) 5-2 (8-9) Held up, smooth headway over 1f, quickened to lead 1f out, edged right and ran on final furlong, won at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr '09 beating Labisa (8-13) by 4l, 14 ran.
Rio Cobolo (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and switch right over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Zero Money (9-13) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Amethyst Dawn (IRE) 9-4fav (8-11) Prominent, challenged 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Stonehaugh (8-3) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Olympic Dream 20-1 (9-2) With winner, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 13l behind Reel Buddy Star (9-4) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Scrapper Smith (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Lordship (8-1) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Rising Kheleyf (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders farside group, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 12, 16l behind Sairaam (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Midwestern (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 4l behind Rule Of Nature (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
Bold Diktator 25-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Toto Skyllachy (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Dickie Le Davoir 12-1 (9-4) Dwelt badly, behind, switched right 4f out, ran on well inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Divertimenti (8-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Geojimali 20-1 (8-4) Outpaced, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 12, 5l behind Tadalavil (8-9) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Hartshead 20-1 (9-4) Held up, wide and headway from over 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 19l behind Baltimore Jack (9-5) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Call Of Duty (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Prominent, chased winner from 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dhhamaan (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Dolly Royal (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 7f 3yo fll stks (5) gf in Jun beating Jemima Nicholas (8-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
So Bazaar (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 7, shd behind Verluga (8-12) at Carlisle 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
