tracked leaders on inside, pushed along briefly 6f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, ridden and lost 2nd over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, driven along entering final 2f, no further progress
started slowly, held up in last pair, headway on outside 5f out, went 2nd over 4f out, rider dropped reins and led 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken final 100 yards
raced wide towards rear, headway over 4f out, went 3rd over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner until inside final furlong, stayed on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, pushed along before halfway, chased leading pair over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won going away
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on same pace in 4th final furlong
in touch on inside until reminders and lost place over 7f out, soon behind, tailed off
STRIKEMASTER came with a wet sail to land an amateurs' race at Newcastle earlier this month. He's been lightly campaigned this year so may be able to defy a 4lb higher mark here. Bouggler could be interesting as he's a useful hurdler/chaser on a potentially lenient mark back on the Flat, though may just need this. Kayef will probably also be back over hurdles before long but Naburn should be thereabouts again after recent placed efforts over this trip at Newcastle and Yarmouth. Cowslip is still relatively unexposed and preferred to course and distance winner Generous Dream and Jan Smuts of the others.
Not Til Monday (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, plugged on final 2f, never a factor, 5th of 9, 6l behind Certavi (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Kayef (GER) 6-1 (8-7) Tracked leading pair, outpaced 3f out, ridden and lost place 2f out, soon weakened and behind, last of 5, 10l behind Sula Two (9-2) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Naburn 10-3 (8-13) Tracked leaders, pressed winner over 5f out, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Bounty Seeker (9-4) at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Jan Smuts (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Mid-division, switched to race towards stand side over 2f out, never a factor, 12th of 13, 40l behind Come Here Yew (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Bouggler 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led halfway, ridden 2f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Goldrenched (9-7) at Newcastle 2m 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Oct '08.
Generous Dream 7-1 (9-6) Close up, pushed along to go 2nd over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 9l behind Lochiel (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Cowslip 66-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear and keen, headway 2f out, kept on same pace to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Lochiel (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Valentine's Gift 50-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up well in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms with leaders, 5th of 9, 9l behind Tetbury (10-0) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Altnaharra 16-1 (7-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 19l behind Goldan Jess (8-12) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Strikemaster (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Thirsk 2m am hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Frosty Berry (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
