raced wide, mid-division, reminders over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, eased
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, not pace to challenge
always prominent, led over 2f out, driven out
held up, ridden, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, ran on
held up in rear, ridden, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
close up, lost place over 6f out, pushed along over 4f out, short of room over 2f out, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, kept on, never nearer
We close with another competitive affair, in which the vote goes to Darghan ahead of Melvino and Barbirolli. Darghan gets the vote because a four-pounds rise for his Newcastle win last time looks fair given that he won well on that occasion. Connections are, quite reasonably, looking to strike while the iron is hot. Melvino would get a good mention if anywhere near the level of form that saw him win from a pound higher mark at Windsor last October. Native American showed good promise behind South O'The Border at Newmarket last season but two subsequent runs have been disappointing. Barbirolli won off a pound higher mark last July and ran pretty well last time. Up in trip today, he cannot be ruled out. Taxman stays two miles and should ensure a good gallop, although Our Choice, who could go well today, is weighted to beat him based on autumn form. Wizard Looking is a course and distance winner from last June and, although seven pounds higher than for that success, could yet improve on a staying-on effort last time. Plenty Cried Wolf's stable is in form and he holds claims based on his Haydock claiming win of last season, a victory that he followed with a good handicap effort. Jackie Kiely is always capable of running well from today's rating, while La Gessa made late headway over course and distance last time and could be on the up. Ferrando seemed to improve last time, but that was on the all-weather, while Smoothie is well-weighted on 2004 form but is not so good these days. Once again, then, today's selection is Darghan.
Barbirolli 8-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ulysees (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (5) gf.
Taxman (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon faded, 7th of 9, 18l behind Finalmente (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Wizard Looking 28-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never reached challenging position, 10th of 15, 5l behind Thorny Mandate (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcap (5) gf.
Our Choice (IRE) 5-1fav (9-12) Chased clear leader until led 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Great View (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gs.
Darghan (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, led towards finish, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcap (6) gd beating Caymans Gift (8-10) by a nk, 14 ran.
La Gessa 16-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 7l behind High Treason (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Ferrando 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Brave Dane (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol.
Smoothie (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Mister Completely (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (6) gf.
