dwelt, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on
held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up and keen, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, held on well towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led briefly inside final furlong, held near finish
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, struggling from halfway
PARIS BELL may well have optimum conditions now and gets our vote ahead of Imperial Sword, Almost Married and recent winner Strawberry Moon. Tim Easterby's course and distance winner has been a costly failure for backers recently as people have latched onto the fact that he looks ready to win. Now rated 63, the gelding has won off a mark as lofty as 80 in the past and if the market speaks in his favour then wheel the barrow to your closest bookmaker. Almost Married is consistent and Jim Goldie's charge runs this track well, whilst Avontuur is probably better on the all-weather or on quicker ground. Imperial Sword hasn't run a bad race this season but he is high enough in the weights as a result. Splash The Cash found things happening too quickly when last seen at York and has been given the break since, Yorkshire Blue is slow in the context of this race but will be staying on and will relish a true test, whilst Strawberry Moon is back up to mark of 67 following his maiden win last time. Capone has first-time blinkers on today and that may eek out some improvement, however it is Paris Bell who can finally win this year.
Capone (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 6l behind The Twelve Steps (8-10) at Thirsk 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sept.
Strawberry Moon (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) Slowly into stride and behind, headway over 2f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gs in Sept beating Tito (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Obe Royal 16-1 (9-8) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 15l behind Zennerman (8-12) at Chester 1m app hcp (6) sft in Aug.
Yorkshire Blue 12-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind, stuggling after 3f, 9th of 12, 8l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcap (5) hvy in Sept.
Paris Bell 6-1fav (9-5) Dwelt and behind, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 10th of 18, 6l behind Apollo Shark (9-4) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sept.
Almost Married (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Sunley Sovereign (8-6) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sept.
Imperial Sword 8-1 (8-6) Behind, switched left over 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Apollo Shark (9-4) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sept.
Avontuur (FR) 13-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Apollo Shark (9-4) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sept.
Lambrini Lace (IRE) 22-1 (8-7) Chased leaders to halfway, 10th of 11, 8l behind King Of Swords (9-2) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (5) sft in Sept.
The Thrifty Bear 33-1 (8-10) Raced along stand side and prominent, weakened final furlong, 18th of 19, 20l behind Johnston's Glory (9-11) at Redcar 6f hcap (6) gf in Jul.
Ugly Betty 100-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, hung left over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Sea Salt (8-5) at Ayr 7f clm (5) gs in Aug.
Splash The Cash 10-3 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 14l behind Jaconet (8-5) at York 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
