steadied start, settled in rear, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge
towards rear, ridden along over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, no headway over 1f out, weakened final furlong
behind, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish
held up behind mid-division, no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
in touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, headway to lead over 2f out, ran on strongly, ridden out
held up behind, headway on outside from 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
awkward leaving stalls, raced keenly in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge over 1f out
tracked leader to inside final 2f, weakened quickly 1f out
led until headed over 2f out, one pace, kept on well for 2nd
started slowly, always towards rear and never dangerous final 2f
mid-division, losing touch over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off
Zalkani has solid claims whilst Sky Quest and Sovietta are not without chances but we'll take STORMBEAM to shine. Gerard Butler's charge still has a little to prove in terms of resolution but it looks significant that he's employed Andrea Atzeni for the gelding's return to action. This surface will suit and he doesn't appear to be too badly handicapped and may be able to overcome his low draw. There's no doubting Zalkani's resolution as he's won a remarkable fourteen races. Most of those victories have come at Lingfield but he's run well here in the past and should have little trouble coping with a 2lb rise in the weights. Sovietta is out of the weights but is tried in cheekpieces and hails from a yard enjoying a decent spell so it would be no surprise to see her go well and that comment also applies to Sky Quest who goes well for his young apprentice but we'll take Stormbeam to come out on top.
Smooth As Silk (IRE) 22-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, raced wide, soon struggling in rear, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Dark Prospect (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Stormbeam (USA) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, switched right over 2f out, soon chased winner, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Wogan's Sister (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 1f hcap (6) sft in Aug.
Crimson Mitre 20-1 (9-0) Prominent, effort over 4f out, soon beaten, 13th of 16, 33l behind Red Wine (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Sky Quest (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Always behind and never dangerous final 2f, 8th of 10, 8l behind Balnagore (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Zalkani (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr beating New England (8-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Star of Pompey 12-1 (8-3) Soon led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, plugged on, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Naughty Thoughts (8-6) at Salisbury 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gd in May '08.
Mixing 12-1 (8-5) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden and outpaced 3f out, stayed on again final furlong, 5th of 16, 6l behind Mossmann Gorge (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) in May.
Everyman 12-1 (8-2) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind King Of Connacht (8-7) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Looping The Loop (USA) 50-1 (8-11) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 24l behind Miss Serena (9-2) at Great Leighs 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Templet (USA) 100-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, 7th of 12, 33l behind Always Best (8-9) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (6) sft in Aug.
Rosy Dawn 14-1 (7-13) Soon led, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, 39l behind Jafaru (8-10) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in May.
Jiminor Mack 14-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, effort and raced wide over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Sir Haydn (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3f app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs in May.
Sovietta (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 20l behind William's Way (10-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol in Mar.
Lytham (IRE) 17-2 (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression, 8th of 12, 16l behind Sign of The Cross (9-12) at Leicester 1m sell stks (6) gd in May.
