| Course: SANDOWN | Race date:04/07/08 | Race time:4:00 | Runners:6 |
| Race distance:1m2f | Going:Good To Firm | Winners time:2m 6.72s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Many Volumes | Ted Durcan | H R A Cecil | 10 | 9-5 | 4 | 0 | 109 | 9/2 | 1.83 | 1.49 | 1.38 | 1.01 | 1 | |
| Bushman | Richard Mullen | D M Simcock | 6 | 9-5 | 4 | 0 | 105 | 3/1 | 1.56 | 1.41 | 1.21 | 1.01 | 2 | 3 |
| Kandidate | Darryll Holland | C E Brittain | 3 | 9-8 | 6 | 0 | 110 | 10/1 | 3.07 | 2.16 | 1.86 | 1.01 | 3 | 2½ |
| Stage Gift | L Dettori | Saeed Bin Suroor | 5 | 9-5 | 5 | 0 | 115 | 7/4F | 1.28 | 1.21 | 1.17 | 1.16 | 4 | 7 |
| Tell | Kerrin McEvoy | J L Dunlop | 1 | 9-5 | 5 | 0 | 106 | 16/1 | 3.24 | 2.85 | 2.43 | 1.12 | 5 | 2¾ |
| Fight Club | Paul Mulrennan | R Brotherton | 7 | 9-5 | 7 | 0 | 102 | 66/1 | 17.19 | 13.04 | 8.32 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
Many Volumes tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3f out, hard ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right soon after, driven clear
Bushman held up in last trio, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on from 2f out, went 2nd last 100yds, no chance with winner
Kandidate led, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened and lost 2nd last 100yds
Stage Gift took keen hold, held up in last trio, ridden and not quicken on outer over 2f out, 3rd briefly over 1f out but well beaten, finished slowly
Tell tracked leader to 3f out, weakened rapidly over 2f out
Fight Club slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in last trio, weakened well over 1f out
The ground was key, and MANY VOLUMES was the one horse who was guaranteed to enjoy it this quick. Second three times this season, including to Breeders' Cup winner Red Rocks at Lingfield and then off 108 in a hot Royal Ascot handicap, he had plenty going for him and gained a well-deserved first Listed success. Ted Durcan had to get pretty serious with him before he got the better of long-time leader Kandidate, but once in front he was firmly in charge. One would have thought his handicap days are behind him, though - he is still in the John Smith's at York, but the penalty takes him to 9st 13lb, and it would not be Henry Cecil's style - and it remains to be seen if he can win a Grouprace.
Bushman has made rapid strides since being bought unraced from Godolphin for a bargain 15,000 gns, winning well over this trip at Windsor and then on soft ground over 1m in a handicap at Sandown. Fast ground was a worry and although no harm was done, he was outpaced when the winner was taking command and proved unable to produce the change of gear that had been seen under different conditions, only taking second 100 yards or so from the finish. He will be rested with a view to returning for the Group 3 Strensall at York, ground permitting, and an autumn campaign. He's capable of better.
There was a long gap back to the others. Stage Gift escaped a penalty for last year's Group wins, as they came before September 1, and he was the clear form choice. The ground may have been on the quick side and he was entitled to come on for the run, but he should have done a great deal better.
Tell, without headgear this time, was beaten with more than two furlongs to go.
Fight Club had blinkers for the first time and they had him running too keen.
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