chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway well over 1f out, one pace
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders stands side, weakened over 1f out
reminders early, behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
prominent, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on, always held
with leaders, lost place well over 1f out
chased leader stands side, weakened 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
prominent, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders stands side, weakened over 1f out
mid-division stands side, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
No shortage of participants here and it could be that finding pace is more important than the effect of the draw. That in mind, we'll take our chance about GLASSHOUGHTON with He's A Humbug and City For Conquest on our shortlists. The selection is perhaps better known over slightly further but he looked a shade unlucky over six at Ayr and on ground that should suit, we take him to land the spoils. He's A Humbug recently obliged at Catterick over six furlongs. The handicapper has not been unduly harsh as a consequence. City For Conquest has dropped massively down the weights. Granted, his recent efforts have been little to write home about but the booking of leading claimer, Paul Pickard appears interesting. Roy Bowring has his string in good order so watch out for Flying Applause. He seems a different performer for the application of tonguetie and blinkers and wasn't too far away at Nottingham last time out. Make My Dream has been found out over five furlongs though appears more suited by this extra distance. Convince finished second in a weak Newmarket handicap and while a credit to connections this term. The form of that race has not worked out. Tri Chara appears a better conveyance on the artificial surfaces whilst Capone demonstrated improved form at Catterick and Hayley Turner replaces an apprentice. Glasshoughton gets the nod in a race where there are many plausible winners.
Flying Applause 6-1 (9-8) With leader far side group, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Russian Rocket (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 28-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, edged left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Silly Gilly (9-2) by 1l, 14 ran.
Glasshoughton 9-2 (10-0) Held up, headway and not much room over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Maison Dieu (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Danum Dancer 16-1 (9-1) Led far side group, headed well over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 17, 8l behind Imperial Echo (8-10) at Thirsk 6f hcp (5) gd in Apr '08.
Make My Dream 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind C'mon You Irons (9-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Makshoof (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Plumage (9-6) at Leicester 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Chosen One (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Mid-division stands side group, ridden 2f out, no impression, 10th of 16, 8l behind Flying Applause (9-8) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
Capone (IRE) 18-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 14, 2 3/4l behind He's A Humbug (9-9) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Top Bid 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Highland Warrior (8-9) at York 5f app hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Tri Chara (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Prominent, went 2nd over 2f out until inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 5th of 12, 4l behind Chief Exec (9-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Convince (USA) 7-1 (8-7) Held up, good headway from over 2f out, with winner from over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Violent Velocity (8-8) at Newmarket 7f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Double Carpet (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Sea Land (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Circle Dance (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Outpaced in rear, headway to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on same pace, no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Mr Skipiton (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Fulford 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders stand's side group, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, 22l behind Ace Of Spies (8-10) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Sunley Sovereign 5-1 (8-8) Dwelt, keen, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, hung left and kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Botham (9-2) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
City For Conquest (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 6l behind Greek Secret (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Avoncreek 66-1 (7-12) Raced keenly and awkwardly, always in rear, last of 14, 12l behind Many Welcomes (8-3) at Chester 1m app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Captain Royale (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 16l behind Kingsmaite (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jun.
Billy Cadiz 200-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 27l behind Russian Spirit (8-12) at Doncaster 6f mdn stks (5) gs.
Averoo 33-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched left halfway, never near leaders, 9th of 10, 11l behind Tyfos (10-0) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
