towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest at finish
held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
keen and tracked leaders, one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on well
in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish
always behind
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
in touch, weakened final furlong
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Boldinor bids to repeat last year's triumph, Desert Pride and Plumage are closely matched, Music Box Express will attempt to call the tune but SHAKESPEARE'S SON could have the final say. Boldinor is 6lbs lower than when winning in the hands of Kylie Manser a year ago but he has never been the easiest to catch right. Music Box Express is competitive and will give it a good go from the front but could find that the final few yards of this trip stretch him and he's taken on. Neither Desert Pride nor Plumage have been keen to take up the winning habit but both have done more than enough to believe them capable of landing a race of this nature should they so deign. Makshoof should be entertained although one would have liked to have seen more from him at Southwell last time whilst Union Jack Jackson's sorry decline is all too easily highlighted by his mark of 37 when he once raced off 73 but Captain Peachey has had just the four starts so may have more to offer. The selection showed signs of returning to form with a decent effort in a competitive Windsor handicap last time. This task looks less onerous whilst the fitting of blinkers may engender some improvement, he has a decent mark and a capable pilot who is capable of steering Shakespeare's Son home.
Moral Duty (USA) 3-1fav (9-3) Chased leader, led, hung left over 1f out, driven out, won at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct '07 beating Sakhacity (8-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Makshoof (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Slowly into stride, behind, never nearer, 7th of 13, 8l behind Elusive Fame (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Music Box Express 20-1 (8-9) Slowly away, behind, ran wide into straight, ridden and struggling 2f out, last of 8, 16l behind Barons Spy (9-7) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Shakespeare's Son 12-1 (8-7) Behind, went far side straight, headway over 2f out, soon chasing winner, no impression when lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind C'mon You Irons (9-6) at Windsor 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Desert Pride 10-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, not clear run over 3f out, headway over 1f out, inched left well inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Onebidkintymill (9-8) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Plumage 5-1 (9-9) With leaders, led 2f out, soon headed, not quicken well inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 1 3/4l behind Onebidkintymill (9-8) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Boldinor 33-1 (8-9) Held up behind, headway on outer over 2f out, not reach leaders, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 16l behind C'mon You Irons (9-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Affirmatively 28-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Keep Dancing (8-12) at Warwick 5f fll hcp (5) gd.
Metropolitan Chief 25-1 (8-2) Slowly away, headway to chase leaders on outside halfway, weakened over 2f out, beaten when hampered over 1f out, last of 11, 12l behind Global Village (9-3) at Kempton 7f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol.
Union Jack Jackson (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Raced centre, mid-division, ridden and hampered over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 11l behind Buy On The Red (10-5) at Leicester 5f (5) gf in Jun.
Captain Peachey 25-1 (9-0) Chased winner until over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Musical Bridge (9-0) at Nottingham 5f mdn auc stks (5) gf in Jun.
