in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, good headway after 3 out, led flat, ran on readily
in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, no impression after
raced keenly, in touch, went 2nd at 4th, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra
held up, headway 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
in touch, ridden to go 3rd 3 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
led, headed 5th, in touch when mistake and unseated 3 out
mid-division, mistake and lost place, behind when hampered 3 out, pulled up next
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader until 4th, led 2 out, headed and no exta flat
Nonrunner
It may pay to side with REBEL DANCER on his handicap debut, with Saltagioo and Lepido likely to figure strongly in a tricky race to unravel. Phillip Hobbs has his string in fine order which adds strength to our belief that Rebel Dancer may prove well-treated off just 104. He's caught the eye travelling nicely in a couple of races and it may just be this better ground inspires an improved performance on his handicap debut, particularly as he's bred to be a bit better than this rating and the trip looks perfect. The market will help determine whether a big run is likely, but without that guide we're more than happy to take a chance. Saltagioo was in the process of running well in defeat when unseating Wayne Hutchinson last time, so with a 5lb lower mark to work with and Choc Thornton in the saddle today a big effort looks likely, particularly as his winning form on the flat came on good ground. Lepido is another who enjoys summer ground and Gary Moore's animal ran reasonably in a better race than this last time. He's still 12lbs higher than when last winning though and may just need a hand from the assessor before winning again. Tiger O'Toole has his conditions and is considered but he faces some unexposed rivals and may have to settle for running well in defeat alongside bottom weight Royal Prodigy. True Blue Saga needs a market check on his first run in the country for a shrewd yard, but unless money arrives by the bucket load we're prepared to look elsewhere and do so in the shape of Rebel Dancer.
True Blue Saga (IRE) (10-10) 8th of 18, 18l behind Roi De France (11-0) at Clairefontaine(FR) 2m 1f 4yo clm hdl sft in Jul.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Held up, headway 4 out, 3rd when blundered last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Perpetuum (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
Lepido (ITY) 9-2fav (11-2) Chased leaders, led on inside 5th, headed after 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 16, 16l behind Qaspal (11-5) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Feb.
Rebel Dancer (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 15l behind Taffy Thomas (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Saltagioo (ITY) 5-1 (11-11) Held up, pulled hard, closed 2nd, ridden after 3 out, close 4th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Salontyre (9-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Jenny Potts 20-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, in 4th approaching last, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 22l behind Bella Haze (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Wizard of Us 16-1 (11-11) Led, untidy 1st, soon headed, led approaching 3rd until after next, carried head to one side and weakened 6th, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 49l behind Salontyre (9-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Superfly 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, chased winner after 7th, no impression approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Putney Bridge (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) sft in Feb.
Art Man 50-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, struggling 3 out, poor 7th when pulled up before last, in a race won by Diamond Brook (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Arthurs Dream (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always in rear, mistake 4th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Treaty Flyer (10-9) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (4) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Royal Prodigy (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, kept on well flat, went 4th near finish, 4th of 13, 5l behind French Leave (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Bull Market (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders until weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Jigsaw Dancer (11-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar '08, 11 ran.
