in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
pulled hard in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders
keen in rear, wide into straight 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer
made most, ridden clear over 1f out, unchallenged
raced wide mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased winner throughout, outpaced well over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, outpaced from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
The trip looks too short for Karashar, whilst Major Lawrence looks flattered by his official rating, and so it is the twice-raced MASSILAH who is selected to break her maiden tag. The selection has run two races full of promise at Newbury and most recently at Chester. Those maidens look a class above this one and this Namid filly, a half-sister to the smart Lovelace, is fancied to break her duck at the third time of asking. Unlike the selection, Major Lawrence doesn't have a great draw to work from. Jeremy Noseda's colt has shown signs of ability but it is disappointing that he hasn't been able to win yet. He may be smarter after a 54 day break but the feeling is that he might be vulnerable once again. Newcomer Princess Pivotal cost 80,000 guineas as a yearling, Jonny Mudball shaped with promise at Windsor and is out of a half-sister to Acclamation, whilst First Service shaped with plenty of promise on his Doncaster debut a year ago. Luisa Tetrazzini and Dajen may both do better in handicaps after this run, so of more interest may be Karashar who is not the worst hurdler in the world and may go well at a price, although the feeling is that this is just a sharpener. This looks a good opportunity for Massilah to make it third time lucky.
Karashar (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 5f out, led well over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 9l behind Nemo Spirit (9-3) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) sft in May '08.
Big Sur 20-1 (9-3) Slowly away, raced wide, green and always behind, 8th of 10, 10l behind Mr Rainbow (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Dajen 50-1 (9-3) Dwelt, towards rear, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 12l behind Hajoum (9-3) at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gf.
First Service (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort over 2f, no impression, 9th of 15, 8l behind Roman Republic (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct '08.
Jonny Mudball 11-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 4l behind Hajoum (9-3) at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gf.
Major Lawrence (IRE) 4-7fav (9-3) In touch, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Moojeh (8-12) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Wacato King (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 7th for much, no extra straight, 12th of 14, 15l behind Achak (9-0) at Dundalk 6f 2yo mdn stks pol in Sep '08.
Princess Pivotal Pivotal filly out of Santa Sophia.
Katie The Hatter (IRE) Celtic Swing filly out of Kathleen's Dream.
La Marseillaise (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Behind, outpaced halfway, weakened and eased over 1f out, last of 10, 31l behind Mabait (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Luisa Tetrazzini (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, weakened 1f out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Awesome Surprise (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Massilah 5-1 (9-0) Led, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Balaagha (9-0) at Chester 7f 3yo fll mdn (4) gf in May.
Miskin Spirit 100-1 (8-12) Dwelt, behind most of way, 9th of 14, 16l behind Rainbow Desert (8-12) at Windsor 1m mdn stks (5) gs.
Anagram 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed soon after, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mr Rainbow (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
