held up, short of room 10f out, smooth headway from over 3f out, led on bit over 1f out, soon clear, very easily
always in rear
tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, chased leader 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace
soon led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened and eased over 2f out
in rear, behind from halfway
slowly into stride, held up, wide and headway 5f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, rallied and stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong
in rear, wide and headway over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace final 2f
chased leaders, ridden halfway, ridden to chase leader 3f out, one pace final 2f
keen, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
pulled hard in rear, ridden and weakened 4f out
chased leaders, weakened halfway
held up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
Contra Mundum looks the way to go here and is selected ahead of Steel Grey and Snake Hips. Hayley Turner's mount had lost his way over hurdles but returned to action with an impressive 8 length success over twelve furlongs of this circuit last week. He is penalised for that win but that was a better race than this one and he should be able to follow up. Steel Grey has his stamina to prove at this longer trip but he looks well worth chancing over this longer distance and he has shown signs of a return to form of late and his yard is going well. Snake Hips is still a maiden but he didn't run too badly in a first time visor last time and has the form to be a factor in this company. However, the glaringly obvious claims of Contra Mundum make him the selection.
Contra Mundum (USA) 5-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, smooth headway 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Andorran (9-1) by 8l, 9 ran.
Aggi Mac 16-1 (8-5) Mid-division, never nearer, 12th of 14, 20l behind Jadeeron (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Oct '06.
Big Ralph 9-2fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, chased leaders over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 3l behind Lough Beg (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Blue Opal 20-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 11l behind Karmest (8-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs.
Haughton Hope 20-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 13, 9l behind Artzola (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f banded stk (7) pol in Nov '06.
Littleton Aldor (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 4f out, soon hanging, weakened from 3f out, 6th of 9, 31l behind Annambo (9-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Aug.
Matinee Idol 14-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 9, 6l behind Ashwell Rose (9-4) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Nov.
Mi Odds 50-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Starcross Maid (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
On Every Street 9-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 30l behind Cumbrian Knight (11-2) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (6) fbs.
Secret Cavern (USA) 80-1 (9-5) Chased leaders for 3f, soon well behind, 13th of 14, 39l behind Mayonga (8-12) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct '06.
Steel Grey 11-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden when outpaced halfway, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Komreyev Star (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Didactic 16-1 (9-6) Always rear, 8th of 10, 24l behind Louisiade (9-9) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Little Hotpotch 66-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, headed 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 14, 15l behind Bernabeu (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Nov.
Snake Hips 50-1 (8-11) In touch and keen, ridden 3f out, switched right over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Champagne Shadow (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 6f sll (6) pol.
