in touch, pushed along over 6f out, no impression from over 2f out
led, pushed along over 5f out, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
switched left start, held up behind, never dangerous
held up, headway 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression from 2f out
prominent, pushed along over 6f out, lost place 5f out
held up mid-division, headway on outer over 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden, outpaced over 3f out
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, one pace, no impression approaching final furlong
Isa'af can make fitness count over the likes of Sporting Gesture, Tcherina, McEldowney and Numero Due. Quite a few of these are either returning to the fray or have been in action over hurdles, so the consistent Isa'af should take the beating. Peter Hiatt's seven-year-old has been in good form of late, having won his last two starts at Southwell and Pontefract, and on the latter occasion he sailed through the heavy going to score easily under his apprentice pilot. The slightly faster ground today should be perfect for him and he can make his current mark count. All of Sporting Gesture's wins have been on faster ground and he has topweight to boot, but he should be kept on the right side of as his astute handler will have something lined up for him soon. Tcherina had Mick Easterby's charge back in fourth when scoring at York last autumn and now re-opposes on worse terms so there should be little between the pair. McEldowney has over nine lengths to find with the selection on Pontefract running but will improve for the outing so could get closer, while of the George Moore pair that line up, Numero Due was consistent enough last backend, while Greenbelt is another that has it to do on recent form with Isa'af who can complete a hat-trick.
Sporting Gesture 16-1 (9-2) Held up, effort over 5f out, headway over 3f out, every chance and hung left final furlong, one pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Tcherina (8-1) at York 1m 4f app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Ski Jump (USA) 5-1 (9-4) Held up, always in rear, last of 7, 15l behind Young Mick (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Mar.
Tcherina (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Always prominent, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Caribbean Pearl (7-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Numero Due 13-2 (8-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 13, 20l behind Toldo (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Isa'af (IRE) 9-2fav (9-1) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon clear, won at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp (5) hvy beating Middlethorpe (8-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Charlotte Vale 18-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 17, 16l behind Hernando's Boy (8-12) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
McEldowney 11-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 10l behind Isa'af (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp (5) hvy.
Prairie Sun (GER) 12-1 (8-4) Never dangerous, 10th of 15, 21l behind Merrymaker (8-4) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
