chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed close home
towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead close home
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance when not much room well inside final furlong, ran on
held up and keen, hampered over 3f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on never troubled leaders
soon led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, beaten when not much room inside final furlong
towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, lost place over 3f out, no danger after
led early, chased leaders, ridden and edged left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
soon with leader, led over 3f out, ridden when hung right and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-divison, not much room after 1f, ridden and headway 2f out, not much room well inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Auentraum, Mountain Pass and Joyeaux and the narrow vote is given to Auentraum. The selection was an unlucky in running fourth behind Mystery Pips last time out. That horse has since ran well under his penalty in defeat and off the same mark here the selection looks a value bet in an open affair. Mountain Pass rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Scuba. That horse has since let the form down and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Joyeaux is another that could go well on his best form and if a first time visor sharpens him up he would have definite place claims. Far Note has dropped to a handy mark but he is becoming expensive to follow while Bond Playboy is from a yard in form and is another with place claims but in a trappy affair for the winner we are happy to return to Auentraum.
Bond Playboy 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until lost place over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Scuba (9-7) at W'hampton 6f hcap (6) pol.
Joyeaux 50-1 (9-4) Prominent for 4f, 16th of 17, 17l behind First Rhapsody (8-0) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in May.
Val de Maal (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 12, 21l behind Scuba (9-7) at W'hampton 6f hcap (6) pol.
Auentraum (GER) 4-1fav (10-0) Mid-division, not much room on inside over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind Mystery Pips (9-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mountain Pass (USA) 25-1 (9-12) Always prominent, ridden and hung left over 1f out, led briefly entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Scuba (9-7) at W'hampton 6f hcap (6) pol.
Doctor's Cave 16-1 (9-6) Mid-division on outside, no progress final 2f, 8th of 12, 4l behind Scuba (9-7) at W'hampton 6f hcap (6) pol.
Bahrain Gold (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 14, 5l behind Snow Bunting (9-6) at Ayr 7f hcap (6) gd.
Far Note (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Dwelt, soon led, clear over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 8l behind Bijou Dan (9-4) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Feb.
