slowly away, in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, and again inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders early, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
always behind
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway to chase winner final furlong, stayed on, no impression
with leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
Astronomical won with plenty in hand on his handicap debut at Nottingham first time out this term and is taken to defy a 7lb rise at the main expense of Coleorton Dane and Sharp Reply. The last mentioned has only raced on a soft surface so far and their should be more to come now that he tackles fast ground for the first time. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, it would come as no surprise to see Sharp Reply step up on previous form today. Malinsa Blue showed improved form for being stepped up to a mile for the first time at Thirsk on his most recent start and is another to consider along with Love And Laughter, who represents the in-form yard of Tim Easterby. Lady Pilot has been raised a couple of ponds since her latest second on the Polytrack but now tackles a mile for the first time and could be interesting although a bigger threat is likely to come from Coleorton Dane. Kevin Ryan's gelding has run consistently well of late and is probably better than he showed when behind Malinsa Blue at Thirsk last time. Astronomical suggested that there was plenty more to come at Nottingham though and gets the vote to follow up.
Very Wise 50-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead last strides, won at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct beating Scriptwriter (9-0) by a hd, 20 ran.
Astronomical (IRE) 5-2fav (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, ran on, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf beating Pevensey (9-3) by 2l, 17 ran.
Malinsa Blue (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Tsaroxy (9-2) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Hanseatic League (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Prominent 4f, weakened under pressure, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Guildenstern (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Coleorton Dane 4-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Tsaroxy (9-2) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Sharp Reply (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Mid-division, soon pushed along, never near to challenge, 7th of 11, 14l behind Tax Free (9-0) at Thirsk 7f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Lady Pilot 7-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway on inside to chase winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, always held towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Crown of Medina (8-10) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Love And Laughter (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 14, 21l behind Malinsa Blue (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gf in Sept.
