| Course: NEWBURY | Race date:19/04/08 | Race time:2:50 | Runners:17 |
| Race distance:1m | Going:Soft | Winners time:1m 41.48s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lang Shining | Ryan Moore | Sir Michael Stoute | 11 | 8-11 | 4 | 0 | 89 | 9/2J | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | |
| Benandonner | B McHugh | R A Fahey | 10 | 8-7 | 5 | 0 | 92 | 13/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | nk |
| Zaahid | R Hills | B W Hills | 7 | 9-0 | 4 | 0 | 92 | 11/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | 3¼ |
| Proponent | Steve Drowne | R Charlton | 14 | 8-12 | 4 | 0 | 90 | 14/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | ¾ |
| Markab | Pat Cosgrave | K A Morgan | 12 | 9-1 | 5 | 0 | 93 | 9/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5 | 2 |
| Kingsdale Orion | Robert Winston | B Ellison | 2 | 8-12 | 4 | 0 | 90 | 20/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 6 | 1½ |
| Capable Guest | Chris Catlin | M R Channon | 4 | 9-0 | 6 | 0 | 92 | 20/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 7 | ¾ |
| Trafalgar Square | Paul Doe | M J Attwater | 13 | 8-9 | 6 | 0 | 87 | 16/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 8 | nk |
| Plum Pudding | Patrick Hills | R Hannon | 15 | 8-10 | 5 | 0 | 93 | 20/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 9 | ½ |
| South Cape | M C Geran | M R Channon | 17 | 8-5 | 5 | 0 | 90 | 33/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 10 | 1 |
| Wigwam Willie | Joe Fanning | K A Ryan | 3 | 8-5 | 6 | 0 | 83 | 16/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 11 | 4½ |
| Orchard Supreme | Richard Hughes | R Hannon | 5 | 8-9 | 5 | 0 | 87 | 33/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 12 | nse |
| Mine | Darryll Holland | J D Bethell | 1 | 9-10 | 10 | 0 | 102 | 25/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 13 | 10 |
| Formax | Martin Dwyer | M P Tregoning | 6 | 8-8 | 6 | 0 | 86 | 20/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 14 | 3 |
| Heroes | Eddie Ahern | C F Wall | 8 | 8-9 | 4 | 0 | 87 | 22/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 15 | 2½ |
| Mesbaah | Jamie Moriarty | R A Fahey | 16 | 8-13 | 4 | 0 | 94 | 40/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 16 | 2 |
| Sound Of Nature | Ted Durcan | H R A Cecil | 19 | 8-11 | 5 | 0 | 89 | 9/2J | NA | NA | NA | NA | 17 | 22 |
Lang Shining chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead final 75yds
Benandonner chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final 75yds, no extra close home
Zaahid slowly into stride, in rear, headway 3f out, stayed on over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong but no chance with leading duo
Proponent chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong but never going pace to be competitive
Markab led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Kingsdale Orion in rear, hard driven over 2f out, stayed on final furlong but never in contention
Capable Guest chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
Trafalgar Square took keen hold early, mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
Plum Pudding in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
South Cape in touch, ridden over 2f out, never going pace to be competitive and weakened approaching final furlong
Wigwam Willie slowly into stride, ridden towards rear halfway, never in contention
Orchard Supreme slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway to get in behind leaders 3f out, soon faded
Mine slowly into stride, always in rear
Formax in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
Heroes always towards rear
Mesbaah slowly into stride, always towards rear
Sound Of Nature always in rear, well behind final 3f
It gave further credence to the ‘consolation’ Lincoln that is the Spring Mile being the better contest as winner Don’t Panic franked the form as an unlucky runner-up in a strong Listed race next time.
Four-year-olds have an excellent record in this race and LANG SHINING made it eight out of the last ten winners, gaining ample consolation for missing out on the cut for the Lincoln, for which he had been fancied. As such, he was well prepared for this but, apart from a non-staying effort over 1m2f at the end of last season, he has a most progressive profile with his form working out well, suggesting he could be well treated.
The winner took time to pick up when asked against race-fitter rivals, but impressed in coming clear with Benandonner through the final furlong, but he needed almost all of it to assert. Connections are likely to stick at 1m, but did not rule out another try at 1m2f later. He may prefer a bit of cut in the ground, which tempers enthusiasm for faster-ground handicaps like the Hunt Cup.
Benandonner must surely win soon on turf as he did nothing wrong again here in adding another placing off a mark that is naturally creeping up.
Zaahid again sat well back off the pace and deserves plenty ofcredit for getting as close as he did, especially as he hung badly left when first put under pressure. Straightened out, he stayed on strongly and looks to have more to offer on better ground this summer in similar races.
Markab excelled himself, setting a sound gallop in the conditions and only giving best into the final furlong. He had won over 7f last time and has been edging up the handicap, but on this showing can get back to winning ways over a furlong shorter.
Kingsdale Orion took the eye on this seasonal return. Despite being a 7f winner, he was doing his best work at the finish,never threatening to get competitive, but leaving the impression his new stable will be winning with him soon.
Capable Guest is fully exposed, but he gives the form a solid look even if the ground was probably soft enough for him.
Trafalgar Square was unable to repeat his Spring Mile form with the second and has always gone best fresh before losing his form. It could be the case again for this lightly raced gelding.
Plum Pudding is better on better ground and he travelled well enoughin the pack before getting tired in the last two furlongs in these conditions.
South Cape ended nearest the stands' rail and plugged on, and he can improve on the bare form for this seasonal return.
Mine, bringing Lincoln form to the race, was held up travelling well as usual, but he was another who got bogged down on this ground under his big weight.
Formax ran far too freely early to get home in these conditions. (BJ)
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