held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, outpaced over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression final 2f
in rear, soon pushed along, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
in touch, ridden well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden well over 1f out, soon rallied, no extra towards finish
in touch, driven over 3f out, lost place over 1f out
held up, ridden and lost place over 3f out
A difficult finale in which Mobaasher, Hawkit and Stretton form the shortlist and we shall side with Stretton. James Bethell's gelding is difficult to catch right but he is at least proven around this circuit and off a mark just 4lb higher than his previous winning mark, it could be worth taking the chance that he has the appetite for the task on this occasion. Hawkit has been in plenty of stables during his career and he is now with Alan Bailey. The handler has a history of sending out winners at the Roodeye so any market moves should be observed. Mobaasher is making his handicap debut He has ran green when beaten on a previous visit to the track but as he is "well in" versus his handicap mark, there are likely to be plenty of people wishing to get involved. Sporting Gesture is not well drawn but he does not mind being tucked in off the pace and it would be no surprise to see him run well. Tycoon Hall won a big race over hurdles at Market Rasen for Peter Bowen and would not be out of this if his efforts for Richard Hannon are taken into account. Cool Hunter has shown little since landing a Windsor handicap in May while Merrymaker is much better than the bare form of his latest run suggests. A difficult race in which Stretton's course form secures him the nomination.
Cool Hunter 20-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 10th of 11, 19l behind Acrobatic (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
Stretton (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Forthright (9-4) at Ripon 1m 4f hcap (3) gd in Jul.
Toshi (USA) 33-1 (9-9) Raced stands side in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 15th of 19, 14l behind Smart Enough (9-8) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Merrymaker 20-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, last of 11, 25l behind Whispering Death (9-9) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Sporting Gesture 6-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 4f out, headway over 3f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Fort Churchill (8-12) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Mr Aitch (IRE) 3-1 (9-8) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 10l behind Daring Affair (9-11) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Hawkit (USA) 11-2 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 6th of 8, 5l behind Primo Way (10-0) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Mobaasher (USA) 4-5fav (8-11) In touch, ridden and hung left 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Eta Draconis (8-11) at Redcar 1m 3f mdn stk (5) frm in Jun.
Tycoon Hall (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 27l behind Mudawin (10-0) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Turner 9-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Aimee Vibert (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
