keen, mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway from over 2f out, led on bit 1f out, shaken up, stayed on towards finish
keen, in touch, headway to join leader 8f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, chased leader 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on
raced well in rear, came wide into straight over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden and soon every chance, one pace from over 1f out
raced keenly, led 1f, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on
held up in rear, switched right 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, lost place 8f out, reminders soon after, behind from over 4f out, driven and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
led after 1f, set steady pace, joined 8f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, improved to chase leading pair 7f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out
This is competitive but our short-list comprises Pass The Port, Traprain and Four Miracles with the first named selected. Derek Haydn Jones' charge really seems to have come to himself of late and has posted two of the better performances of his career. On his penultimate start, he did well to hold on from the fast finishing Souffleur and he was then far from disgraced behind Double Banded when stepped up in grade over course and distance. A similar performance this afternoon should see him go close. Traprain was put away after winning over hurdles in November but shaped well on his reappearance over an inadequate ten furlongs earlier in the month; he should make his presence felt. Four Miracles has a little to prove as she is tackling this trip for the first time, has only won once despite finishing second four times and lacks a run. Her pedigree suggests that she should be suited by this sort of trip this season though and it would be no surprise to see her progress throughout the season now that she's another year on her back and up in trip. Today though, we're going to side with Pass The Port.
Corum (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Led, quickened halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 7l behind Calculating (8-9) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Pass The Port 16-1 (8-10) In rear, ridden and switched right over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Double Banded (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr.
Inchloch 8-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and steady progress from 3f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Flame Creek (7-13) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Traprain (IRE) 13-2 (8-5) In touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 10l behind Polish Power (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (4) gs.
Four Miracles 7-2 (9-5) In touch, headway under pressure over 1f out, went 2nd last half furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Chunky's Choice (8-11) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
They All Laughed 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway on outer approaching 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Boz (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Casual Affair 3-1jt-fav (9-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Puy d'Arnac (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Colonel Flay 5-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead inside final furlong, pushed clear, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Calcutta Cup (8-8) by 2l, 9 ran.
Markington 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind Mull of Dubai (8-4) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept '06.
Wraith 7-4fav (10-0) Keen close up on outer, ridden over 3f out, outpaced by leading pair from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 10l behind Amerigo (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Trance (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along after halfway, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hill Billy Rock (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
