tracked leaders, lost place 3f out, ridden and keeping on when hanging left over 1f out
bumped start, effort on outside over 2f out, plugged on
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked winner and keen, lost place over 4f out, weakened 2f out
made all, ridden 2f out, pushed out
always in the rear
in touch, keen, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, brief effort 4f out
tracked leaders, chased winner from over 4f out, no impression final furlong
slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3f out, one pace final furlong
Mark Johnston and John Gosden both run interesting debutants here but we'll side with the experience of SHAMALI on this occasion. The selection represents the in-form William Haggas and improved markedly on his debut effort to record the best piece of form on offer here when in the frame at Pontefract last month. Pedigree suggests that this extra furlong will suit and with further improvement anticipated together with a plumb draw we'll side with him. John Gosden saddles Metternich, a three-year-old who is very well related although it is a bit of a surprise that he starts the colt over this far, and in spite of forecasts that he will go off favourite this judge would rather adopt a watching brief. Of equal, if not more, interest is Fashion Week who makes the trip from Mark Johnston's Middleham base. The Linamix gelding is another nicely bred sort related to winners up to 10f and it will be interesting to see what he has to offer. Hughie Morrison could hardly have his runners in better shape and so Supaverdi is very much respected after a Nottingham debut will have eased any greenness and she can improve for both that and the step up in trip. Spouk has not been seen since a Newmarket debut in May where she showed plenty of promise, and it would be no surprise to see her in the shake-up. Even so, Shamali looks a nice prospect and is given the nod.
Desert Vision 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 14th of 20, well behind Honest John (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr (N.Hunt).
That'll Do Nicely (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up, headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Barliffey (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Fashion Week Linamix gelding out of Picture Princess.
Metternich (USA) Seeking The Gold colt out of Valentine Waltz.
Shamali 16-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Jaadull (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Amber Moon 33-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Al Samha (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Foolish Optimist 33-1 (8-12) In touch, led after 1f, headed 3f out, soon beaten, 13th of 15, 46l behind Eton Rifles (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Sept.
Lady Asheena 66-1 (8-9) Raced in 4th, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 14l behind Detonator (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov '07.
Sparkling Silver 66-1 (9-0) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, 9th of 10, 23l behind Bauhaus Bourbon (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn fll aut (6) pol in Dec.
Spouk 40-1 (8-5) Dwelt and behind, switched right and some headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 10, 6l behind Resurge (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) frm in May.
Supaverdi (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 8, 10l behind Cara's Request (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) hvy in Oct.
To Be Or Not To Be 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 9, 9l behind Pink Ivory (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m mdn aut stk (5) pol in Oct.
Yvonne Evelyn (USA) 66-1 (8-11) Slowly away, always towards rear, 10th of 13, 7l behind Mutheeb (9-2) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.