mid-division, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on well, not reach winner
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
pushed along to chase leaders, chased winner over 2f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, led well over 3f out, clear over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, eased towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, soon detached
slowly into stride, behind and outpaced, never a factor
held up in touch, lost place 4f out, hampered over 3f out, no impression
slowly into stride, behind and outpaced, never dangerous
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway to go 3rd over 2f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
led, headed well over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
This revolves around BALLISTA. While it's worrying to see him dropped into this grade after a disappointing reappearance at Doncaster, he's well clear on official ratings and is the one to beat if running anywhere near his mark. Point At Issue will take advantage if the selection isn't up to scratch as he was winning a claimer at Redcar last month and makes more appeal than the out of sorts Maggie Mey. The remainder have it all to do on today's terms with the returning Cathcart Castle perhaps proving the best of them.
Cathcart Castle 5-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, outpaced as pace lifted over 4f out, headway 2f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Mazij (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Stamp Duty (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Behind, switched outside and headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 7th of 16, 6l behind It's A Mans World (8-10) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) sft.
Maggie Mey (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 14, 13l behind Al Muheer (9-7) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Ballista (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) Always behind centre, 17th of 20, 13l behind Farlow (9-0) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Indycisive 9-1 (8-4) Held up in 5th, driven over 4f out, soon lost place, beaten and eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 7, 34l behind Brook Star (8-11) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.
Jan Smuts (IRE) 150-1 (8-11) Reared start, towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 9, 22l behind Tiger Webb (9-6) at Redcar 1m 2f clm stks (6) gd in Nov.
Point At Issue (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Ficelle (8-9) at Leicester 6f 3yo sll (6) sft in Apr.
Dragon Spirit (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) In rear, outpaced halfway, last of 20, well behind Sir Pedro (9-3) at Doncaster 6f mdn auc stks (5) gd.
Oakbrook 100-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden and behind, last of 17, 31l behind Radio Gaga (8-12) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Becksies 33-1 (8-2) Pulled hard close up, weakened 3f out, last of 16, 39l behind Forget Me Not Lane (9-1) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Italian Ice 14-1 (8-7) Soon led, headed and ridden over 3f out, not much room when weakening when over 1f out, last of 10, 17l behind Made In The Shade (8-3) at Beverley 5f 3yo sll (6) gd.
Fine Kingdom 5-1 (8-12) Led, hung right and headed over 4f out, soon lost place, tailed off over 3f out, last of 4, 40l behind Sweetnessandlight (9-4) at Southwell 7f Selling Stakes (0-75) (3yo) (6) fbs.
