held up in rear, headway on inside approaching final furlong, kept on, never nearer
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
soon led, ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on
with leader until over 1f out, ridden, weakened final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, ridden, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, effort inside final furlong, ran on, just held
raced wide, pulled hard, mid-division, improved 4f out, ridden, weakened, hung left 2f out
always in rear
In another fairly tricky affair, we will short list Catskill, Northside Lodge and Rotuma and select Northside Lodge. On more than one occasion last year, Northside Lodge suggested that he still retained ability and, now racing from a mark that looks very reasonable based on his Salisbury third of last September. Catskill is on the same mark as when just beaten at Goodwood last August, so has to be considered on that basis, while Rotuma, who is well-weighted on old form, turne back the clock a little with a good run at Nottingham last time, and is fully entitled to consideration. Of the others, the course and distance winner Street Life is seven pounds below his course and distance winning mark of November 2004 but would probably prefer a bit of juice in the going, Ariodante put up an improved effort last time and could yet improve again, while Machinate is lightly raced and gave the impression last time that he was improving. Finally, Panshir would hold a big chance based on his 2004 form, but he couldn't be a strong fancy based on recent efforts, and Itcanbedone Again is on a winning mark, but that victory came on the all-weather. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Northside Lodge.
Street Life (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, not much room final furlong, stayed on, 9th of 16, 6l behind Dium Mac (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gd.
Northside Lodge (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 14, 8l behind Zalkani (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Ariodante 33-1 (9-4) Chased clear leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, one pace, 5th of 16, 4l behind Dium Mac (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gd.
Admiral Compton 11-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 3l behind Ulysees (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (5) gf.
Itcanbedone Again (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Led, ridden when headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 13, 11l behind Scottish River (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Machinate (USA) 9-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Blue Quiver (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Rotuma (IRE) 9-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Trouble Mountain (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcap (6) sft.
Cottingham (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed, no extra final half furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Brave Dane (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol.
