held up in rear, badly hampered over 3f out, headway 2f out, ran on, unlucky
mid-division, keen, ridden over 4f out, weakening when badly hampered over 3f out, virtually pulled up
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, edged left over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
made all, ridden 3f out, kept on, ridden out
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, edged left 1f out, faded
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, plugged on
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, never a factor
In an interesting race, the short list contains Melpomene, Market Watcher and Ross Moor, with the vote going to Melpomene. Melpomene is getting the hang of this game now and has won her last two races. Despite having been raised five pounds for a narrow Lingfield win, today's track will suit her better and she can defy the rise. Irish raider Market Watcher has also won his last two races, both over the extended two-mile trip here. He stays well, is in good heart and should ensure a good pace to this race. Ross Moor is also interesting in that he defied an absence and a step up in trip to score last time. He should have more to come. Tranquiliser is very consistent and deserved her win here last time. She can be considered despite a five-pounds rise. Finally, a Chester winner from a three-pounds lower mark in July 2005, the subsequently lightly-raced Solarias Quest has to get a mention from the in-form jumping yard of Alan King, but Foursquare Flyer, who does not look to be a straightforward ride, looks to be opposable in this handicap. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Melpomene.
Kames Park (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Always behind, 8th of 10, 19l behind Velvet Heights (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Dec.
Tender Trap (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, not clear run on rail 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 11l behind Master Cobbler (8-6) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Solarias Quest 14-1 (9-6) Hampered soon after start, held up, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 9th of 10, 14l behind Inch Lodge (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Tranquilizer 10-3 (8-9) Held up, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Quince (8-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Melpomene 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leader, led narrowly 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, ran on to lead line, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Eva Soneva So Fast (9-5) by a shd, 8 ran.
Market Watcher (USA) 8-15fav (9-9) Held up going easily, led over 1f out, canter, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Gallileo Figaro (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ross Moor 14-1 (9-6) Mainly tracked leader, led just over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Dec beating Monets Masterpiece (9-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
Foursquare Flyer (IRE) 11-10fav (9-7) Mid-division, hampered soon after start, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on under pressure to lead final strides, won at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol beating Beldon Hill (8-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
