held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, no headway final 2f
held up in rear, ridden on outside and struggling final 3f
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon in touch, driven along on outer 3f out, soon weakened, eased when beaten final furlong
stumbled start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, effort between horses over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, took 2nd last stride
led after 1f, made rest, driven along from 2f out, hard pressed and held on gamely near finish
led for 1f, chased winner to over 1f out, beaten final furlong
in touch, driven along 4f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, effort to chase winner over 1f out, edged left and kept on under pressure final furlong, lost 2nd last stride
took keen hold, tracked leaders, driven along over 1f out, one pace final furlong
always behind
behind, headway over 1f out, never nearer
keen hold in touch, pushed along 3f out, weakend over 2f out
We like the look of Uncle Bulgaria in this handicap, with Resplendent Nova, Final Promise and Hawridge King rated as his biggest dangers. Uncle Bulgaria romped to victory at Newcastle last time in the style of an improving horse. An eight-pounds rise might not stop him and with this track likely to suit his style of running, he is taken to score again. Resplendent Nova was a real eyecatcher at Warwick last time and, with the form of that race having worked out pretty well, he looks a danger to the selection over this longer trip, although he is closely matched with Final Promise on the literal form of that race. Most of the others look pretty fairly treated and lacking the scope of the two-mentioned, although Foxy Gwynne showed promise last season and, only lightly raced, should be able to win a race this time around, that last comment applying also to Hawridge King, although he is closely weighted with Rawaabet on recent course and distance form. To be perfectly honest, for us the form and potential of the first two mentioned stands out for us here - although Red Rudy is maybe one to watch out for - and we expect them to play a prominent part, with the vote just going to Uncle Bulgaria.
Resplendent Nova 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division, lost place halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Tom Forest (8-13) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Ivana Illyich (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Always behind, last of 13, 13l behind Queen Tomyra (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) pol in Nov.
Cavan Gael (FR) 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, 14th of 19, 16l behind Bolodenka (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Gennie Bond 11-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 6f out, remained close up, ridden 3f out, not clear run inside final furlong, stayed on, 5th of 9, 3l behind Eloquent Knight (8-2) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Rawaabet (IRE) 6-1co-fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 7l behind Just A Try (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Chapter (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 8l behind Iskander (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gf.
Uncle Bulgaria (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Tracked leader far side, led over 4f out, clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (6) gd beating Sound And Vision (9-1) by 4l, 14 ran.
Foxy Gwynne 5-2fav (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Kanad (9-0) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn aut (E4) gs in Oct.
Danger Zone 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders to 3f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 17, 33l behind Davenport (9-4) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Hawridge King 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3f out, kept on for 3rd final furlong, no chance with first 2, 3rd of 17, 4l behind Davenport (9-4) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Final Promise 40-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Tom Forest (8-13) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Prince Vettori 14-1 (8-13) Behind when pulled up in race won by Just A Try (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf, 18 ran.
Red Rudy 14-1 (8-6) Chased leaders over 3f, 7th of 20, 22l behind Paris Bell (8-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) sft in Oct.
Flaunt N Flirt 20-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, behind, never on terms, 9th of 12, 6l behind Paparaazi (8-12) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) pol in Nov.
