| Course: SANDOWN | Race date:25/04/08 | Race time:1:50 | Runners:5 |
| Race distance:1m2f | Going:Good To Soft | Winners time:2m 10.63s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ask | Ryan Moore | Sir Michael Stoute | 4 | 9-3 | 5 | 117 | 119 | 8/13F | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | |
| Hattan | Seb Sanders | C E Brittain | 3 | 9-3 | 6 | 116 | 112 | 6/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | ½ |
| Philatelist | N Callan | M A Jarvis | 7 | 9-0 | 4 | 108 | 102 | 10/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | 2½ |
| Championship Point | Darryll Holland | M R Channon | 2 | 9-0 | 5 | 107 | 105 | 8/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | ¾ |
| Illustrious Blue | L Dettori | W J Knight | 6 | 9-0 | 5 | 105 | 108 | 8/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5 | ¾ |
Ask tracked leader, ridden to press new leader over 2f out, driven into narrow lead over 1f out, soon joined, found extra to assert inside final furlong
Hattan held up in last pair, progress over 2f out, joined winner just over 1f out, just held inside final furlong
Philatelist close 3rd until led on inner over 2f out, driven and headed over 1f out, weakened last 100yds
Championship Point led, ridden and headed over 2f out, not quicken and soon in 4th, kept on inside final furlong
Illustrious Blue held up in last pair, urged along and not quicken from over 2f out, kept on but no chance
ASK has been very lightly raced, but he was beaten only a nose in the Grade 1 International in Canada last year after winning twice at this level and stood out if he was as effective back at 1m2f. Ridden handily, he began his challenge early in the straight, with his rider anxious not to get caught out by anything speedier, but although he soon had the better of front-running Championship Point he was immediately challenged by Philatelist, who took anarrow lead up the rail, and then also by Hattan, who really made him work. It was only well inside the final furlong that Ask truly asserted, although it always looked as if he would just about win and Ryan Moore did not need to get as serious as he can. The winner has no end of options at a higher level, and connections would not be afraid to run him again at this trip in a more strongly run race. The Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh is a possibility, and later the Coronation Cup.
Hattan camehere with a good Lingfield Polytrack win under his belt and is reportedly a much happier horse following some dental work over the winter. Having been held up in last, he threw down a strong challenge but was held in the last 100 yards.
Championship Point is not a natural front-runner, but the tactics had served him well at Ripon and there was nothing else to do the job here. His rider did not go off too hard, as that would have set things up for Ask, but he was still an easy target once they straightened for home.
Illustrious Blue is a confirmed hold-up horse and wants a strong gallop. He should leave this behind.
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