led until jumped slowly 1st, tracked leader, in rear approaching 4th, outpaced from last
held up behind, not fluent 4th, weakened from last
held up in touch, lost place from last
tracked leader and keen, led 1st, headed approaching 2nd, led after 2 out, ridden after last, kept on, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, held up and behind from 3rd, went 2nd after last, soon hard ridden, kept on to lead towards finish
STRIKEMASTER is the form pick to land the opener at the expense of Ravati and Marsool. The selection has possibly the best flat form on offer and performed with credit on his hurdles debut after finishing second of ten at Market Rasen. He has since won on the flat at Beverley and with further improvement to come he will be difficult to oppose. Marsool showed only moderate form on the level when trained by Marcus Tregoning but caught the eye after finishing second on his hurdles debut at Bangor. He is sure to benefit for the experience and should be closely monitored in the betting market. Ravati was well exposed on the flat after fourteen runs without success. He did however run a personal best on his hurdles debut at Roscommon earlier in the month and he should be respected on his first outing for his new connections. Strikemaster has the best form on offer and if recapturing his best, he is sure to give his supporters a good run for their money.
Blackstone Vegas 6-1 (9-7) Chased winner, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 9l behind New Tricks (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun (flat).
Dollar Express (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rupestrian (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Melange (USA) 6-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out to over 5f out, weakened 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Hollow Green (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo clm (5) gs in Jun (flat).
Ravati (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Hampered and lost considerable ground start, in touch towards rear by 5th, closed from before straight, 5th 3 out, on terms next, headed before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Suprise Vendor (10-12) at Roscommon 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy.
Strikemaster (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, chased winner before next, 4 lengths down when mistake last, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Herschel (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Bun Penny 100-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 25l behind Mister Tinktastic (8-11) at Carlisle 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun (flat).
Marsool 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, soon chasing leaders, effort 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Forty Thirty (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
