quickly away, made most, ridden and headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, and lost 2nd well inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up towards rear, staying on same pace and no impression, when not clear run from over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
chased leaders on rail, led inside final furlong, ran on well, ridden out
held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, not reached winner
soon disputing lead, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
took keen hold early, chased leaders on outer, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, no real impression inside final 1f
chased leaders, losing place when slightly hampered over 1f out
slowly away, outpaced
The first division of some tricky sprint handicaps and from a shortlist of Le Toreodor, Luscivious and RACOON, it is the last-named who is taken to come out on top. Over the last decade, the average starting price of the winner of this race has been around 14/1 so rule out anything at your peril, however a solid chance is held by Raccoon. Ruth Carr's nine-year-old has few secrets from the handicapper, however his experience can be put to good use here. The ground at Musselburgh last time was too soft for his liking and improvement is expected now that he is returned to a quicker surface. Hazelrigg should have come on for his reappearance run at Carlisle, Ocean Blaze is consistent and she holds Kyle on their run last time out at Newmarket, whilst Speedy Senorita is unlikely to get her own way out in front here and she was disappointing last time out at Beverley. Glasshoughton is looking dangerously well-handicapped so watch the market there, a tactic that might also be used for Luscivious who was a well-backed winner at Southwell in August and won't mind the return to this trip. Rasaman looks like he needs to drop in the handicap, a comment that also applies to Haajes. Le Toreador is in good form but he has a bit to find with Raccoon on their Musselburgh run last month and so it is the last-named who receives the nomination.
Le Toreador 15-2 (9-8) Prominent, pushed along halfway, ran on to chase winner inside final furlong, ran on, always held, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Bertoliver (9-6) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Earlsmedic 6-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on stand side until weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 13l behind Zowington (8-11) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Haajes 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Mandalay King (8-5) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Total Impact 16-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden on outside 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Bertoliver (9-6) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Rasaman (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Reared leaving stalls, always in rear, no chance whne eased when not clear run inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 6l behind Bertoliver (9-6) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Stolt (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind The Nifty Fox (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Aug.
Raccoon (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Close up on outside, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 7th of 8, 6l behind The Nifty Fox (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Aug.
Ocean Blaze 16-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Lenny Bee (9-3) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Kyle (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Held up never dangerous, 8th of 15, 6l behind Lenny Bee (9-3) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Speedy Senorita (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Select Committee (8-10) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Glasshoughton 8-1 (8-13) With leaders, every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, beaten when hampered inside final furlong, 13th of 14, 10l behind Captain Scooby (8-6) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Luscivious 13-2 (9-4) Always towards rear, last of 9, 8l behind Rio Cobolo (8-4) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Hazelrigg (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway and switched sharply left approaching final furlong, no danger after, 9th of 14, 6l behind Captain Scooby (8-6) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
