towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
held up, mid division halfway, ridden over 3f out, kept on well final furlong, just failed
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead entering final furlong, all out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and led until entering final furlong, soon weakened
always towards rear
keen early and tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leader, until ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden from over 2f out, soon headway and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway and every chance entering final furlong, soon one pace
Clear Reef can land this at the expense of Sadlers Kingdom and Souffleur. the selection caught the eye when second to Bentley Brook at Southwell last time out. That has been his favoured surface on the all weather this winter having won there twice. It does remain to be seen how he will handle the quicker ground that Mussleburgh is famous for producing but his winter form has been consistent and if transforming it to the turf he has to go close. Sadlers Kingdom is another to note in the betting market having won four times last flat season. The one fault we see is that he has failed to win first time out in the past and that may hold some punters back. While Souffleur is another that comes back from a break from the flat. He has been performing over jumps this winter so will be fit and with the stable coming back from a quiet spell he is worth noting in the betting market. But for the winner we return to Clear Reef.
Sadler's Kingdom (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Towards rear, kept on one pace from over 2f out, 10th of 21, 16l behind Sandymount Earl (9-3) at Curragh 2m prm hcp gs in Oct.
Souffleur 9-2 (8-7) Held up in touch, never a factor, 4th of 5, 31l behind Cape Secret (8-1) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul '06.
Gordonsville 6-4fav (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon chased leader, led over 5f out, shaken up over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct beating Sweet Request (8-12) by 5l, 8 ran.
Rehearsal 14-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Buster Hyvonen (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcap (4) pol in Feb.
Pass The Port 15-2 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong not reach leaders, 4th of 8, 2l behind Motarjm (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Salute (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden 2f out, edged right under pressure from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, outbattled, 2nd of 5, shd behind Kames Park (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (5) pol.
Red Lancer 10-1 (9-2) Chased leader until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 9l behind Princess Cocoa (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Clear Reef 2-1fav (9-6) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, driven and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 7, hd behind Bentley Brook (9-9) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 15l behind Sadler's Kingdom (8-10) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Cybersnow (USA) 2-1 (9-12) Keen early, soon steadied in touch, chased winner over 4f out, stayed on, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Wannabe Free (7-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
Casual Affair 7-2 (8-10) Took keen hold, held up 4th, chased over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Motarjm (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Nelsons Column (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Led, headed over 6f out, chased winner until no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3l behind Elopement (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Los Nadis (GER) 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway and went prominent halfway, soon led, ridden over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Estate (9-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Nov.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden along over 4f out, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Gloucester (8-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in Sept.
