held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, ridden 3f out, pressed leader from over 1f out, gradually wore down leader to lead final strides
stumbled start, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out
raced wide, held up, weakened 4f out
in touch, ridden and weakened 4f out, eased over 2f out
in rear, headway over 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader until reminders 4f out, soon weakened
ridden to lead, set strong pace, ridden 3f out, pressed from over 1f out, headed final strides
A low-grade handicap that affords MANEKI NEKO a good chance to follow up his Ripon win, possibly ahead of Avitus and Classic Contours. Having stormed to victory last time our pick is asked to race off a 10lbs higher mark today, but that still leaves the gelding below winning marks of the past and we're hopeful he's on the way back. That looks to be the case as he was having only his third start following an injury last time and connections have found a very weak event for the follow-up. James Sullivan takes over from Sophia Brotherton and he's riding like a man value for his 5lb claim. Avitus remains a maiden and has looked one paced of late, perhaps forcing connections into stepping him up in trip. Previous attempts over a mile and a half have been poor but they came at stiff tracks and he's worth another chance to show he stays, but Micky Hammond's charge was readily brushed aside last time and needs help from the assessor. Add to that his record of zero wins from 14 starts and the horse is opposable. Classic Contours showed more over hurdles last time and if he can translate that back to the flat would have place claims. However, three runs on the level this term have been poor, including last time over course and distance, and it's tough to make a solid case for his chance. Castlebury ran better last time but in selling company and returns to handicaps a pound higher so is taken on despite the form of the yard, Noche de Reyes is far from certain to stay and Film Festival is another better over shorter, so this weak affair can go to Maneki Neko.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) In touch, chased leaders over 4f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Ripon 1m 4f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Golden Future (9-4) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Classic Contours (USA) 11-4 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Hel's Angel (10-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Film Festival (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Chased leaders on outside and keen, lost place over 2f out, 9th of 11, 20l behind Ninth House (7-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Castlebury (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Held up in touch and keen, went 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Chocolate Caramel (8-12) at Catterick 1m 6f 4yo sell stks (6) gf.
Trumpstoo (USA) 6-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, chased winner over 2f out until 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 13l behind Maneki Neko (10-2) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Kendalewood 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, pushed along over 7f out, soon lost place, in rear 4f out, soon struggling, last of 8, well behind Patavium (9-2) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Avitus 9-4fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Smirfy's Silver (9-7) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Noche de Reyes 15-2 (8-8) Prominent, not clear run over 2f out, ridden and switched right entering final furlong, stayed on, unable to trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Bajan Pride (9-3) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Drop The Hammer 8-1 (8-10) Led 2f, tracked leader, led again 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 9l behind Silent Lucidity (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Treason Trial 20-1 (9-2) Pulled hard in rear, headway halfway, pulled up entering straight, in a race won by Alloro (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May, 10 ran.
