in touch, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, plugged on same pace final 2f
chased leader, led 8f out, ridden and pressed 3f out, hanging both ways when headed over 2f out, dropped to 3rd soon after, one pace and no impression over 1f out
in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, driven to assert inside final furlong
steaded start, held up in rear, some late moderate headway, never a factor
chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, lost place over 4f out, no danger after
took keen hold, led over 3f, chased leader until over 2f out, chased winner from 2f out, driven and tried to rally over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
last pair, ridden and struggling over 4f out, plugged on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off and eased final 2f
A modest affair to close in which NORDIC QUEST is a speculative choice to maintain Gerard Butler's good start to the season. The son of Montjeu has contested some good quality contests and should be far more at home in this company for his handicap bow, for which he looks to inhabit a feasible mark. Grand Gold looks a threat off topweight as his fitness is guaranteed after three runs this year, the most recent of which showed him to be in good heart when staying on pleasingly into the minor placing in a Nottingham handicap. The step-up in trip should be in his favour. Wayne Manor could be better than he has shown so far for his in-form yard. He was inexplicably tailed off at Leicester last time, prior to which he'd been a well beaten third at Chepstow. However, he was well supported on both occasions and that latest disappointment will have done his handicap mark no harm. Spanish Fork should come on for his Leicester reappearance and completes the shortlist.
Grand Gold 6-1 (9-2) Keen in touch, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, edged left and kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Whipcrackaway (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Somemothersdohavem 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden, switched left inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Aiaam Al Wafa (8-4) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gd.
Nordic Quest (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 11l behind Born To Surprise (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Spanish Fork (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 4f out, headway 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Cape Safari (9-10) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Dovils Date 9-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, raced stands' side from 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 6l behind Crius (9-3) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Jul.
Wayne Manor (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 11, 41l behind Mojave (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Lady Romanza (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, kept on but pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Danube River (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn fll (5) pol in Mar.
Enjoying (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 13, 9l behind Maybeagrey (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Madame St Clair (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Dwelt and bumped start, close up on inside until lost place over 3f out, rallied on inside and not much room over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 8, 8l behind Zain Princess (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
