tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, ridden to join winner and every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken near finish
made all, ridden and joined over 1f out, driven and kept on gamely
slowly away in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 3f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
HARRY THE HAWK gets the nod here ahead of Umverti, Graceful Descent and Dark Ranger. Tim Walford's course and distance winner has had a couple of entries this week but this preferred engagement looks a good opportunity to get back to winning ways. He failed to fire over 12 furlongs last time but his previous second to Wind Star reads well and assuming he copes with this quicker ground he is expeced to run well. General Tufto is not straight-forward but he is now just one pound higher than his win here in May, whilst Graceful Descent ran much better at Leicester last time and the stable are absolutely flying. Kingsolm needs to improve for the return to the flat, Umverti seems most at home on stiff tracks like this, whilst Dark Ranger looks progressive and he lost little caste in defeat last time. A very competitive opener but the vote goes to Harry The Hawk.
General Tufto 9-1 (9-2) Held up, headway from over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Graylyn Ruby (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Graceful Descent (FR) 9-2 (8-11) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, every chance when hung right approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Dancing Jest (8-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Umverti 9-2 (8-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner well over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Traphalgar (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Neon Blue 11-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 9th of 15, 19l behind Rowan Lodge (9-7) at Carlisle 1m 1f clm stks (6) gf in Jun.
Dark Ranger 9-4fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, every chance inside final furlong, just held towards finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Carter (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Harry The Hawk 6-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 48l behind Joe Jo Star (8-7) at York 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Kingsholm 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 15, 21l behind Director's Chair (10-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd in Mar.
Tar (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 2f out, 15th of 20, 9l behind Poppyfield (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m hcp 0-80 gf in Oct '07.