held up towards rear, under pressure 5th, not fluent next, soon beaten
tracked leaders, always travelling well, ridden to challenge 2 out, hit last, soon led, ran on
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, soon beaten
led 1st, remained handy, effort 3 out, weakened next
led after 1st, headed 3rd, remained prominent, hit next, weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, pulled hard, headway to lead 3rd, hit 6th, headed after last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway and not fluent 4 out, soon beaten
pulled hard in rear, headway 4 out, kept on towards last, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, ran on flat
in touch, weakened after 4 out, pulled up next
Esprit De Corps can resume winning ways here at the main expense of Dancer's Serenade and Swift Sailor. Phillip Hobbs' charge didn't look the most straight-forward when suffering a defeat last time out at Ascot. He carried his head high in the closing stages there and he may not be one to be getting too carried away with. However he has shown plenty of ability and proven on various ground, he can score. Ferdy Murphy has had his horses in good form of late and Dancer's Serenade has solid claims if he is fully wound up, especially as his form of last season looks solid. Stumped has place claims, especially as this looks a much easier task than the Listed contest that he ran in last time at Cheltenham. Diarus is another who should go well now tuned up after a recent run, however it is Esprit De Corps who is the nomination.
Stumped 33-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, no progress from 3 out, 16th of 24, 42l behind Gaspara (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Esprit de Corps 7-2fav (11-12) Keen in mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out but always held, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Zero (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Swift Sailor 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 8th, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Predator (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Sa Nau 5-1 (11-3) In touch, weakened 4 out, 5th of 20, 37l behind Brave Rebellion (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Devito (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Slowly away, held up, steady progress from 7th, ridden to challenge 3 out, carried left after last, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind So Brash (10-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Give Me A Dime (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 4th, soon held, 8th of 13, 46l behind Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 13-8 (11-7) Held up, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Poker De Sivola (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Diarius (GER) 20-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 17, 7l behind Eden Linty (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Colophony (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 10, well behind Hi Dancer (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jun.
No Greater Love (FR) 15-2 (10-10) Always prominent, chased winner 2 out, soon hung right, no impression, 2nd of 18, 5l behind Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Golden Crew 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, hard ridden from last, just held close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Rare Coincidence (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '06.
Magnifico (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place after 3rd, tailed off when hampered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd, 13 ran.
