went left start, behind, ridden halfway, kept on, never nearer
slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, ridden halfway, went 3rd over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
with winner after 1f, every chance from 2f out, soon ridden, one pace inside final furlong
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
led after 1f, soon joined, ridden over 1f out, edged left, ran on
bumped start, in rear, ridden halfway, never near leaders
led 1f, remained in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Most of these have questions to answer, so Mugeba is a far from confident choice to gain another success; possibly at the main expense of Arfinnit and Ever Cheerful. A case can also be laid out for Flight Dream but he takes a huge drop in trip and it remains to be seen how he will cope. Ever Cheerful has never been the most consistent horse in training but has given his connections plenty of fun over the years. He is in good heart but it is a worry that he has never won a race on turf before. Arfinnit is a similarly frustrating character that has wasted as many chances as he has taken. Still, this is his grade and, assuming he handles the ground the Anabelle King-trained gelding could be good value to make the frame. However, Mugeba gets the nod as the most reliable option amongst this bunch of chancers and scoundrels. Six furlongs is not a problem for Gay Kelleway's charge and, as he will love the anticipated going description, Mugeba gets the vote of confidence today.
Flight Dream (FR) 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left and led over 1f out, soon headed, driven and stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Princelywallywogan (8-9) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Mugeba 13-2 (8-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 10l behind Benfleet Boy (9-4) at Folkestone 7f hcap (5) sft.
Ever Cheerful 7-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders on inside 4f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind After The Show (9-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 7-1 (8-10) Led, pressed and headed 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong and lost 4 places near finish, 6th of 11, 1l behind Toms Laughter (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Arfinnit (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Reared start, always in rear duo, never on terms, 10th of 11, 6l behind Toms Laughter (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Miltons Choice 14-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, effort over 1 out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 7l behind Greenwood (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar '07.
Thomas Lawrence (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Led over 5f out, clear over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Hart of Gold (9-0) at Folkestone 7f sll (6) gf in Sept.
Ali Bruce 50-1 (9-2) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 10l behind High 'n Dry (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Exponential (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) With leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, no chance when eased inside final furlong, last of 11, 15l behind Jilly Why (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Double Carpet (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) In touch stands side, led group over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 5th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Imperial Echo (8-10) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
