soon close up, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and led inside final furlong
keen, held up towards rear, switched right and slighly outpaced approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong, gaining near finish
held up, headway 3f out, chased leader after 2f out, soon every chance, edged left and unable to quicken inside final furlong
led 1f, remained close up, ridden and weakened 3f out
steadied start, pulled hard, tracked leader over 6f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, never trouble leaders
led 9f out, ridden 2f out, headed no extra inside final furlong
Fiveoclock Express can get the better of Muddy, with Peace Emblem and Huxley worth noting in a race that will not take too much winning. Fiveoclock Express has one thing in his favour at least in that he has proven form on this track, having been ridden out to score over the course and distance in class 6 handicap company eight days ago. That was his first Turf success, gained off a lowly rating of 51, and now that he tackles claiming opposition, a follow-up is very much on the cards. Muddy has already been beaten here in a seller, but at the age of three, at least has a bit of scope to improve. Peace Emblem drops back in trip after finishing fourth on the Wolverhampton Polytrack which is hardly inspiring, while Huxley has been kept busy over hurdles without success this year. He did however win a handicap at Thirsk last September, and should not be totally discounted. With that recent winning effort in his favour though, Fiveoclock Express is the pick.
Alqaayid 66-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, effort on inside over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Magic Sting (10-0) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in May.
Fiveoclock Express (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up on outside, headway 2f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, ridden out, won at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) frm beating Fantasy Crusader (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Huxley (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 16th of 20, 17l behind The Prince (8-13) at York 1m 1f hcp (D2) gd in Oct.
Looks The Business (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Raced keenly in touch, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 18l behind Without A Trace (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 3f mdn 0-70 (5) gs.
Prince Valentine 33-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 19, 14l behind Caerphilly Gal (9-1) at Kempton 1m stk (H5) gf in Sept.
Wafani 40-1 (9-7) Led over 7f, 11th of 13, 29l behind Regulated (8-12) at Leicester 1m 2f sll (G) gf in May '04.
Peace Emblem (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 12, 12l behind Explosive Fox (11-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt stk (6) pol.
Muddy (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, driven to chase leading pair 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Best Before (9-4) at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) frm.
