held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway on inside from 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, keen, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, gradually faded
reared start, always behind
held up, always in rear
tracked leader, ridden and led over 1f out, edged left, headed well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
In race five, Mine The Balance is selected ahead of Celtic Thunder and Franksalot. It is a little harsh that Mine The Balance has been raised four pounds for a narrow defeat last time, but he still has to be respected from his good draw. Bodden Bay finished 2006 with a flourish but we'll now see how he fares under a revised mark although he is well drawn. Celtic Thunder ran well over course and distance from a poor draw last time and his draw is good today; he could go well. Shava, Cool Sands and Hotchpotch - who finished just behind Franksalot making late headway on that occasion, (admittedly in an amatuer event) - might all be hampered slightly by the draw which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Mine The Balance.
Cool Sands (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden and no impression when struck on head by rivals whip over 1f out, 11th of 13, 7l behind Super Frank (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mine The Balance (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside furlong to take 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, nk behind George The Second (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Bodden Bay 13-2 (9-8) Ridden and headed halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 13, 20l behind Mozakhraf (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs in Dec.
Celtic Thunder 33-1 (8-9) Soon tracking leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Burhaan (8-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Hotchpotch (USA) 13-2 (10-6) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1l behind Mozakhraf (11-0) at Lingfield 6f amt hcp (6) pol.
Midmaar (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on to chase winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Grand Palace (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6).
King After 7-4fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, dispute lead inside last, soon no extra, 2nd of 7, nk behind Shrine Mountain (9-5) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol.
Shava 4-1 (8-9) Dwelt, held up, not clear run over 2f out, good progress well over 1f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Seldemosa (8-10) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
