towards rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong,
dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden halfway, kept on, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway to lead final furlong, headed towards finish
mid-divisiion, not much room 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
dwelt, behind, ridden halfway, headway final furlong, stayed on well
in touch, ridden and every chance final furlong, kept on
always towards rear
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
held up behind, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden halfway, no impression
led, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
With a plumb draw, a nice racing weight, five c&d wins to his name and an extra 7lb claimed off his back it's time for Paddywack to win again here and he can do so for all of those reasons, while Desert Opal and Never Without Me can go close. The selection is always interesting when returning here and goes on any ground with good in the description, adding to confidence. Desert Opal took a Sandown handicap last time and is upped 4lb for that success. He has a c&d win to his name too and Philip Robinson is an eyecatching booking but he has a poor draw to overcome and is just opposed. Never Without Me carries a 6lb penalty for his defeat of Paddywhack last time and is 4lb worse off for a length that day, but he has a good pitch and remains interesting. Little else stands out off the page at the weights, though c&d scorer Hotham might make the frame, and Welcome Approach won't be too far away as usual, but Paddywack is preferred to all of them.
Desert Opal 7-2jt-fav (9-5) Held up, headway 1f out, hanging right inside final furlong, driven to lead near finish, won at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul beating Blue Aura (9-6) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Coseadrom (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Steadied start, held up, never near leaders, 11th of 14, 4l behind Barney McGrew (9-10) at Newmarket 6f hcap (4) gd.
High Reach 12-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 4l behind Choysia (9-8) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) frm.
Welcome Approach 11-2 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Melalchrist (9-6) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Never Without Me 9-2 (8-11) Held up, headway on outer 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Paddywack (8-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Cornus 16-1 (9-0) Soon behind, outpaced halfway never dangerous, 9th of 10, 10l behind Tamagin (9-7) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Colorus (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) In touch, headway and effort over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Glasshoughton (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Niteowl Lad (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Chased leaders over 3f, 9th of 10, 9l behind Haajes (9-6) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Monashee Brave (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, some late headway, never near to challenge, 8th of 11, 7l behind The History Man (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Kings College Boy 12-1 (8-6) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Glasshoughton (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Hotham 13-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 2l behind Funfair Wane (9-0) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Mulligan's Gold (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Never Without Me (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Paddywack (IRE) 13-2 (8-3) Dwelt and towards rear, headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Never Without Me (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
It's Unbelievable (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Dwelt and behind, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, kept on, never troubled leaders, 6th of 15, 3l behind Raccoon (9-4) at Catterick 5f clm (6) gd.
