mid-division, ridden and remained 4f out, no further impression
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, lost pace over 3f out
slowly into stride, always in the rear
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed after 2f, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden and headed close home
in touch, ridden 2f out, switched left 1f out, ridden to lead close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
keen, mid-division, weakened over 1f out
awkward leaving stalls, never better than finishing position
keen, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon held
This looks the better of the two divisions of the maiden and narrow preference is for LUC JORDAN ahead of Park Lane, Palacefield and Hambledon Hill. Luca Cumani's three-year-old belied expectations on his Yarmouth debut when he was second to Ithbaat at 22/1. That run came on quicker ground than is likely here but he will have learnt plenty from the experience and is fancied to go one place better this afternoon. Two horses familiar with finishing runner-up are Palacefield and Park Lane. The latter has been twice on three of his five starts and this Royal Applause colt needs to find some extra improvement from somewhere whilst Palacefield is also highly rated and lost out by the narrowest of margins at Thirsk last time. High Morning, Royal Superlative and Hold Fire need to improve greatly on what we have seen to date, whilst the 73-rated Hambledon Hill doesn¿t have much to find on official ratings and must be considered, especially if there is much rain around. This looks a fair opportunity for Luc Jordan to get off the mark.
Arab League (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 11l behind Sahaadi (8-12) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sep '07.
Mr Kartoffel (IRE) Night Shift gelding out of Diamant.
Hill Of Clare (IRE) 200-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4f out, soon eased, last of 12, well behind Made To Ransom (9-13) at Chepstow 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf.
Hold Fire 40-1 (8-5) Always behind, 13th of 14, 26l behind Wahoo Sam (8-10) at Nottingham 1m App hcp (5) gd in May '08.
Any Secrets Compton Place gelding out of Anyhow.
Hambledon Hill 5-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Sequillo (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Jasper Cliff 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, under pressure from half way, behind final 3f, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Clowance House (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Luc Jordan 22-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway to press winner approaching 2f out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Ithbaat (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stks (5) gf.
Palacefield (IRE) 8-13fav (9-3) Tracked leader, challenged over 1f out, every chance until driven and just failed on line, 2nd of 13, ns behind Ishe Mac (8-5) at Thirsk 7f 3yo mdn (4) gf.
Park Lane 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Mohathab (10-0) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
High Morning 9-2 (9-0) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 9, 16l behind Say No Now (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 3yo fll mdn (5) fm.
Monagasque (IRE) King Charlemagne filly out of Amiela.
Royal Superlative 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and hung left 2f out, no impression, 13th of 14, 26l behind Sneak Preview (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 2yo stks (5) gs in Jul.
Lady Meg (IRE) 150-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 23l behind Calaloo (9-3) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
