led, headed 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, pushed along halfway, kept on over 1f out
held up, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 1f out, no impression
with leader, led 3f out, race stands side from over 2f out, stayed on well
in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, faded inside final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
A few in-form performers here and finding the winner may not be too easy; narrow preference is for the front-runner MR WOFL who likes this track and is well-drawn on the inside for an attacking ride. Now in the care of John Quinn following David Barker closing his operation, the selection is a familiar face on the Northern circuit. He has a very creditable 11 wins to his name, including one over this course and distance and he should still be competitive off this mark of 72. If he runs as he has the last twice, then it may pay to side with the hat-trick seeking Realt Na Mara. Hughie Morrison's horse has looked a changed animal of late and carried his large weight well at Carlisle last time. A 6lb penalty makes life tougher but in this frame of mind it would be unwise to rule him out. Similarly Sea Salt comes here in fine form and he lost little caste in defeat when second to Nufoudh here last time; the return to six furlongs will suit and his beating of Darcey has been franked. Go Alone should be happier now returned to a less testing track and he has run well here before, Bonnie Prince Blue bounced back to form last time out and looks enticingly handicapped, whilst Hotham continues to run well but his best recent form has come on more testing tracks over five furlongs. Irish raider Johnstown Lad looks an interesting top-weight; he hasn't been seen for two months and although his last raid to the UK wasn't successful, it would be wise to treat him with caution. An open handicap but with the cheek-pieces back on it is Mr Wolf who can land the spoils.
Mr Wolf 4-1fav (9-8) Led, ridden and headed halfway, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 8l behind King Of Swords (8-5) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Timber Treasure (USA) 7-1 (8-5) Held up, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 9l behind Captain Macarry (9-3) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Distant Sun (USA) 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up, hard driven and beaten 2f out, last of 8, 14l behind Rookwith (8-2) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 56-75 (5) gf.
Hotham 14-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, headway towards centre 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 2nd well inside final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Captain Scooby (8-6) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Bonnie Prince Blue 12-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, headway well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Redwater River (8-1) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Navajo Joe (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Held up in touch and keen, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 29l behind Captain Macarry (9-3) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Sea Salt 11-2 (9-5) Soon tracking leader, led halfway, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, hd behind Nufoudh (8-13) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Angaric (IRE) 14-1 (7-9) In touch, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 10l behind Novellen Lad (8-13) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Realt Na Mara (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Carlisle 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) gs beating Botham (10-9) by 3l, 14 ran.
Johnstown Lad (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Disputed lead, headed halfway, 4th over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 5l behind Just For Mary (8-5) at Curragh 5f hcp 60-90 sft in Jun.
Go Alone (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 12l behind Mister Tinktastic (9-4) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Maison Dieu 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out, 12th of 13, 14l behind Apollo Shark (9-11) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
