held up, weakened approaching 5f out
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway 5f out, one pace final 2f
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway well over 2f out, no extra entering final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
with leader, led before halfway, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out, caught close home
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, challenged over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home
held up, weakened over 4f out
held up, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
led, headed before halfway, tracked leader, weakened well over 2f out
STRATIGIC GALE, Iona Days and Bless The Wings may be the three to concentrate on with their yards all having excellent strike rates in bumpers at the track. The suggestion is Nicky Henderson's runner who is having his first run for the yard having shown promise for a smaller stable at Newton Abbot in the summer. He's related to winners in this sphere and hails from a yard that could hardly be in better form. The first three in Iona Days's race at Fontwell pulled a long way clear of the field and there should be races to be won with this gelding whose dam is related to smart chaser Tresor De Mai. Pro Pell needed every yard of the two mile two trip at Plumpton so may not be suited by the drop back and this race looks stronger whilst Born Again also looks likely to enjoy a test of stamina in time. Exotic Man is a half-brother to Exotic Dancer so is of obvious interest whilst Thunderstorm made a pleasing debut at Ludlow and should be all the better for the experience. This looks a strong race on paper and could throw up plenty of winners but, as far as today goes, we'll opt for Stratigic Gale.
Pro Pell (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway over 7f out, pushed along 3f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gf in Oct beating Lord Landen (11-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bless The Wings (IRE) Winged Love gelding out of Silva Venture.
Born Again (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up in last pair, headway on outside 4f out, chased winner on outside 2f out, held final 110 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind You're So Vain (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Erin Dancer (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 4f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, 4th of 8, 7l behind Sheepclose (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Exotic Man (FR) Arvico gelding out of Northine.
Fifth Sea Lord (IRE) Right Win gelding out of Venture To Heaven.
Frevo (FR) Golan gelding out of Noophah.
Iona Days (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, chased winner 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Horsford (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Jake Spoon (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened over 6f out, 14th of 16, well behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Longitude Kayf Tara gelding out of Sail By The Stars.
Rollwiththepunches 9-1 (10-4) Led until headed over 6f out and weakened quickly and beaten over 4f out, 8th of 10, well behind Carters Rest (10-11) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.
Rumbling Thunder (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) In rear, struggling 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 8l behind Distant Florin (10-2) at Fakenham 2m nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Stratigic Gale (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Raced keenly in touch, headway 6f out, challenged 3f out, driven and hung left over 2f out, kept on same pace no impression, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Dan Breen (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Jul.
Thunderstorm (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, ridden when switched left over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong to take 2nd last strides, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Wallace Monument (11-2) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Ionaguru 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, raced keenly, weakened over 3f out, 16th of 18, 35l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Nov '08.
Morning Spring Montjoy filly out of Dino's Girl.
She'solovely 12-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 7f out, effort under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 25l behind Jenny's Gold (10-7) at Towcester 2m N H flat (5) gs in Apr.
