| Course: KEMPTON | Race date:11/06/08 | Race time:8:55 | Runners:5 |
| Race distance:1m4f | Going:Standard | Winners time:2m 35.06s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unleashed | Ted Durcan | H R A Cecil | 3 | 9-7 | 3 | 0 | 82 | 7/4F | 2.28 | 1.78 | 1.66 | 1.01 | 1 | |
| Celtic Dragon | Jim Crowley | Mrs A J Perrett | 1 | 8-13 | 3 | 0 | 74 | 9/2 | 3.3 | 2.91 | 2.84 | 1.01 | 2 | 2 |
| General Ting | D O´Donohoe | Sir Mark Prescott | 6 | 8-4 | 3 | 0 | 65 | 8/1 | 5.2 | 3.64 | 2.12 | 2.12 | 3 | 1¾ |
| Relative Strength | L P Keniry | A M Balding | 5 | 9-3 | 3 | 0 | 78 | 15/8 | 2 | 1.67 | 1.51 | 1.32 | 4 | 1¼ |
| Brexca | Adam Kirby | C G Cox | 2 | 9-2 | 3 | 0 | 77 | 8/1 | 5.1 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.55 | 5 | 2¼ |
Unleashed close up, driven to lead over 1f out, hung left after but stayed on well
Celtic Dragon held up in last, effort on outer when carried left over 2f out, driven and kept on to take 2nd final furlong, no impression winner
General Ting led, veered left bend after 4f, hung badly left over 2f out, hung left again over 1f out and headed, not quicken
Relative Strength tracked leader, hampered over 2f out, gradually faded under pressure
Brexca held up in 4th, effort on outer 3f out, hampered over 2f out, faded over 1f out
The imposing UNLEASHED managed to avoid the trouble and powered home under Durcan for a ready success. Workmanlike winner of a 1m2f maiden at Great Leighs on his reappearance, he looked in need of the extra two furlongs that day, having taken a while to find top gear, and he had no trouble defying an opening mark of 82. By Storming Home, he is expected to progress again for a further step up in distance and could develop into a smart staying type, with something like the Bahrain Trophy or Melrose Handicap appealing as possible future targets.
Celtic Dragon showed improved form when making a winning handicap debut at Goodwood last time, getting well on top close home, and this additional furlong wasonly going to be to his advantage. Held up early, he went in pursuit of the winner a furlong out, but never looked like getting to him. This represented a further step in the right direction and he is another likely to benefit from a stiffer test in future.
Relative Strength, bidding to maintain his unbeaten record, was always doing enough over 1m3f last time and this extra furlong was expected to suit the son of Derby winner Kris Kin. However, he was in trouble from the turn-in and was quickly beaten after getting slightly hampered by the hanging General Ting. He has already shown himself to be better than this, though, and probably deserves another chance.
Brexca has shown consistent form in maidens and had the first-time visor fitted for this handicap debut. He made a brief forward move off the bend but was another who quickly backed out of it once interfered with by the wayward General Ting.
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